Leigh Halfpenny performs the Haka on debut for new team in remarkable moment

The former Wales star made his debut for New Zealand Super Rugby side Crusaders against Munster in Cork

Former Wales star Leigh Halfpenny performed the haka for new team the Crusaders in their clash against Munster in a surreal moment. The full-back made his debut for the team on Saturday night (January 3) at the Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork in a battle between the two hemisphere club champions.

Ahead of kick off, the New Zealand Crusaders performed the haka, where Halfpenny could be seen towards the back of the pack joining in the historic chant. The Welshman signed a one-year deal with the New Zealand Super Rugby side at the end of 2023 after speculation about his rugby future. The Crusaders welcomed the signing of the "legend of Welsh rugby". Get the latest rugby news sent straight to your inbox for free with our daily newsletter.

The full-back played his final game for Wales against the Barbarians in November and was given a fitting send-off by more than 50,000 fans inside the Principality Stadium as he brought the curtain down on a fine 15-year Test career which saw him become his country's third-highest points scorer of all time.

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Despite being on the receiving end of the All Black haka during his international career over the years, it would have been a surreal moment for the Gorseinon boy to be performing the iconic dance.

Irish sports website Balls.ie perhaps summed the incredible moment up best with "Don't think we'd ever have predicted we'd see Leigh Halfpenny doing the Haka on the banks of the River Lee" after sharing a video of the chant. Fans agreed, with one replying "That’s quite surreal."

Another added: "Halfpenny giving 200% at everything. Amazing guy," while another echoed the sentiments of the unbelievable moment with "Well this is random...."

The Crusaders went on to fall short against Munster, losing 21-19. Two tries from Gavin Coombes and a second-half score from substitute Scott Buckley were enough for Graham Rowntree's men to get the job done. While the visitors were able to claw it back in the second half, they simply gave themselves too much to do.

It was a similar picture in Cardiff, as Wales fell short despite an epic comeback, handing Scotland their first win in Cardiff for 22 years. It was 20-0 to the Scots at half-time in what Wales coach Gatland described as probably the worst 40 minutes of his coaching career.

Wales were a disaster in the opening 42 minutes, finding themselves 27-0 down and with a mountain to climb. Gatland pulled no punches afterwards, describing what unfolded as "shocking".Wales proceeded to launch an almighty comeback, eventually losing 27-26 in an epic encounter.