Wales 17 Samoa 10: Halfpenny so delighted to be back as Wales edge on to quarter-finals

Williams’s second-half try – his 55th for Wales from 83 appearances – sunk Pool D rivals Samoa following an attritional battle at Waikato Stadium and maintained prospects of a quarter-final clash against Ireland.

It came after Halfpenny, who went on as an interval replacement for shoulder injury victim James Hook, launched a brilliant counter-attack from deep inside his own half.

Then 70 metres upfield, and after strong link work by centre Jonathan Davies, Williams claimed his eighth touchdown in as many World Cup games despite Samoa desperately trying to repel the daring raid.

“The sun was low, and when Jonathan gave that pass the sun was right in my eye-line and I just lost the sight of the ball,” Halfpenny recalled.

“But Shane was behind me and he went in at the sticks. Thankfully, Shane was there in the right place at the right time. It won the game for us, and all credit to Shane for working hard to get to the ball.

“He has been there and done it, and all that experience came through again.

“We will take the try, take the win and now move on to the next game.”

Halfpenny looked to be in trouble when he was engulfed by Samoan tacklers just outside his own 22, yet he somehow wriggled free and lit up a game that cried out for individual flair.

“I was trying to fight to stay on my feet and get support, but I just managed to slip the tackle, looked up in front of me and the space was there,” he added. “I put my foot down then, saw Jon inside me, and there was great communication between us.

“Then the ball came to me – I knew it was coming – but I just couldn’t see it because the sun was directly in my eye-line. It just blinded me.

“Then there was a split-second when Shane came and picked the ball up. He turned up from nowhere.”

That Halfpenny is part of the World Cup at all is an achievement in itself.

He underwent surgery on his ankle and foot five months ago, which required a pin to be inserted, and a fitness race ensued, all aimed at making the final World Cup warm-up fixture against Argentina on August 27.

“I only just made it in time for the World Cup – the Argentina game was our goal – but I feel I am getting back to myself as the days go on,” he said.

“When I had the opportunity to get on, it was a great feeling to be on the pitch. It has been tough with the injury I had, and playing in the World Cup is a dream come true.