{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}} {{Use British English|date=July 2013}} {{Infobox rugby biography | name = Hal Luscombe | image = | caption = | birth_name = Haldane Naude Luscombe | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|2|23|df=yes}} | birth_place = Laingsburg, South Africa | height = {{convert|1.91|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|101|kg|stlb|abbr=on}} | school = Diocesan College | position = Centre, Wing | amatyears1 = | years1 = 2001–03 | years2 = 2003–06 | years3 = 2006–08 | years4 = 2008–09 | clubs1 = Newport | clubs2 = Dragons | clubs3 = Harlequins | clubs4 = Worcester | apps1 = 25 | apps2 = 51 | apps3 = 35 | apps4 = 9 | points1 = 15 | points2 = 60 | points3 = 35 | points4 = 5 | repyears1 = 2003–07 | repteam1 = Wales | repcaps1 = 16 | reppoints1 = 10 | repsevensyears1 = | repsevenscomp1 = }}
'''Haldane 'Hal' Naude Luscombe''' is a Welsh former international rugby union who played as a centre or wing. During his career, Luscombe played for Newport Gwent Dragons, Harlequins, and Worcester Warriors. Luscombe also represented Wales.
== Professional career == Luscombe attended Diocesan College, Cape Town. He has also played for the Wales under-21 team.
Luscombe moved to Wales, initially having been scouted by then-head coach Graham Henry from a recommendation by Jake White. The deal fell through, but Luscombe still managed to sign a contract with Newport RFC, and made his debut in November 2001.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Simon |date=2020-09-26 |title=Finding Hal Luscombe, the man in the scrum cap who won the 2005 Grand Slam |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/finding-hal-luscombe-mystery-man-19000968 |access-date=2025-12-28 |website=Wales Online |language=en}}</ref> Luscombe then played for the Dragons after the formation of Welsh regional rugby.
Luscombe made his Wales debut in a warm up match against Scotland ahead of the 2003 Rugby World Cup.<ref name=":0" /> He won a Grand Slam with Wales during the 2005 Six Nations Championship, appearing three times before suffering a hamstring injury.
In 2006, Luscombe moved from the Dragons to Harlequins, where he would spend two seasons.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2006-04-01 |title=Luscombe leaves Dragons for Quins |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/4837960.stm |access-date=2025-12-28 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
It was announced in March 2008 that Luscombe would be joining Worcester Warriors for the 2008–09 Premiership Rugby season on a two-year contract. He would be joining up with his former national and Newport Gwent Dragons coach, Mike Ruddock.<ref>{{cite news |title=Luscombe to join Worcester|url=http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,18259,3551_3288590,00.html |publisher=Planet Rugby |date=12 March 2008 |accessdate=12 March 2008 }}</ref> Luscombe made his first appearance for the Warriors in January 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-01-03 |title=Luscombe to make full Warriors debut |url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/4016413.luscombe-to-make-full-warriors-debut/ |access-date=2025-12-28 |website=South Wales Argus |language=en}}</ref> Unfortunately Luscombe only played 6 times during that campaign having had a series of injury problems. On 24 July 2009 it was announced that he had retired from professional rugby with immediate effect. The 28-year-old was released from his Sixways contract by mutual consent.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-Wales centre Luscombe retires |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/worcester/8166458.stm |publisher=BBC Sport Rugby |date=24 July 2009 |accessdate=24 July 2009 }}</ref>
<blockquote> "Hal is a terrific guy who has been a fantastic player for years. I would like to thank him for his service and pay tribute to his outstanding character and performances over the years, most notably as a member of the Wales Grand Slam winning team of 2005." – Mike Ruddock </blockquote>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090213051540/http://www.warriors.co.uk/players/warriorsplayers.php?player=4731&includeref=dynamic Worcester Warriors profile] * [https://archive.today/20110526133233/http://www.wru.co.uk/63_8668.php Wales profile] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20071109094037/http://www.newportgwentdragons.com/Personnel.aspx?pr=106915 Newport Gwent Dragons profile] * [http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/stats/profiles.php?player=4731&includeref=dynamic Guinness Premiership Profile]{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Luscombe, Hal}} Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:Rugby union centres Category:Rugby union wings Category:Wales international rugby union players Category:South African rugby union players Category:Welsh rugby union players Category:People from the Central Karoo District Municipality Category:Alumni of Diocesan College, Cape Town Category:Harlequin F.C. players Category:Dragons RFC players Category:Worcester Warriors players Category:Rugby union players from the Western Cape