Halfpenny: Ready to face Namibia

Whether that opportunity comes at full-back or on the wing will be known on Saturday when Wales coach Warren Gatland names his team for the Pool D encounter in New Plymouth.

Halfpenny has already left a lasting impression on Wales' World Cup campaign after he launched the counter-attack against Samoa that led to a Shane Williams try that ultimately kept them in quarter-final contention.

The 22-year-old subsequently won plaudits from Wales' coaching staff, and with full-back James Hook currently injured, Halfpenny could stake a strong claim to also start against Fiji on Sunday week.

"I played all my age-grade international rugby at full-back before playing on the wing for Wales Under-20s. That was pretty much my first year as a wing," he said.

"It was great to get on against Samoa. To go on at full-back was different for me at international level.

"I felt comfortable and enjoyed it there. I was really pleased with how it went.

"Full-back is where I have played most of my career. I would probably say I feel a bit more comfortable at full-back, but I have played quite a lot of international games on the wing.

"The positions are different in that you are not really in the front-line of defence at full-back. You are always following the ball and getting ready for them to kick to you.

"The ball does come a bit more naturally to you at full-back, but as a wing you can end up back there as well. It feels nice to be able to play both positions.

"It is all about doing your homework and knowing your role, putting the hard work in before the game.

"I work a lot on my jumping and leg power to be able to out-jump the bigger guys. That is a key part of my training.

"You focus on your skill level and your speed, and hopefully all that pays off.

"I have only really played 20 minutes against Argentina and 40 minutes against Samoa at full-back, but if I do get the call-up there it will be nice to have the chance and show what I can do."

Cardiff Blues star Halfpenny fought a four-month battle back to fitness following ankle surgery in his quest for a World Cup place.

And having made it by the skin of his teeth, he is understandably relishing every moment of Wales' experience in New Zealand.

"Thinking I might not be right for the World Cup was gutting," he added. "It has taken loads of hard work - it was a massive challenge to get here.

"Competition is really intense for places in the team. Everyone is pushing each other and keeping each other on their toes, ensuring they are always performing well, otherwise there is another guy to step in.

"For us on Monday, it is not about being complacent. It is a Test match, and we are treating it just like any other Test match.

"All the boys are going to be massively up for it, especially the boys who haven't had a game yet. They are going to be really wanting to prove themselves.

"Training has been sharp, and to get a good scoreline we are going to have to be accurate, clinical and keep the ball.