Following the squad’s internal review of the match against Scotland, Halfpenny sat down with wru.wales to discuss the Murrayfield defeat and outline how the squad are looking to bounce back next week.
“We’ve sat down and looked at the game, and particularly in that second half, we made too many mistakes and those mistakes have put us under pressure and cost us,” he said.
“We can’t afford to make that many errors in International rugby and we know we have to change that.
“Scotland are a quality side and they made us pay for those mistakes and we know we simply have to be more accurate a week on Friday.
“We will of course look at Ireland and the threats they pose but we must also focus on ourselves and doing the right things. We have to execute everything we do better and that’s in both attack and defence. Ireland are a quality side and we have to step up our game.”
A second-half shot at goal was turned down in Edinburgh and that decision has made repeated headlines in subsequent days.
Speaking about that decision, along with teammates Alun Wyn Jones and Dan Biggar, Halfpenny outlined: “For me, I need to hold my hand up. I made a mistake and I wasn’t decisive enough.
“Alun Wyn wanted to go for the three points and I’ve allowed errors in my game before and the conditions to influence me and turn down the kick. I should have parked those mistakes and moved on.
“In the past I have made errors and not allowed those to effect me and moved onto the next job. It’s probably the first time it has happened but it’s the last time it will.
“I don’t think I’ve ever played at Murrayfield when its not been difficult conditions, the wind really picks up and it is up there with one of the most difficult stadiums to kick in but that shouldn’t have an influence on decisions if a kick is in range.
“For me it’s a privileged position to backed to be the kicker, I’m excited to get back out there, get the tee in my hand and go from there.”
