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'It's about winning my place in the team back'
Taulupe Faletau has had enough of watching Wales from the sidelines and wants to have a massive role to play in his country’s World Cup campaign.
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Broken forearms ruined his 2018/19 season, his absence allowing Ross Moriarty take over the No8 shirt, win a Grand Slam and help Wales set a record benchmark of 14 consecutive wins.
That success has left Faletau with quite a challenge on his hands to force his way back to the top of the pecking order, but it is one he is happily embracing as he makes his way back to full fitness in time for next month’s World Cup warm-up matches.
“It’s been a tough couple of weeks but it wasn’t meant to be easy out here,” he told the Wales Rugby Union website from Switzerland where Warren Gatland’s squad are training at altitude.
“It’s good to be back in and amongst the boys and training with them again, I’ve been enjoying it. They’re a group who have done a lot of good things over the last year or so and I’m sure they’ll take that confidence into the games ahead.
“It’s been a tough couple of weeks but it wasn’t meant to be easy out here. Being away from rugby for that amount of time, the hunger is more there now," says @taulupe.https://t.co/V5cQhPA7Jk pic.twitter.com/3XtJeRSzUL
— Welsh Rugby Union ??????? (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 22, 2019
“It’s always during the build up to games where I wish I was a part of it or at least being around the group. Hopefully I can get some training done here and my arm will be okay and then I can play again soon.
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“It’s about winning my place in the team back, a lot of hard work will go into it but everybody is doing the same thing to put their hands up.”
The British and Irish Lions No8 first fractured his forearm playing for Bath before Wales’ November international series and he suffered the exact same injury on his return to play in January with the English Premiership club.
Those injuries have meant it’s now over a year since the 28 year old last played for his country, but he is optimistic everything is now on the mend with his forearm.
“Hopefully it’s better this time around, I haven’t played a game yet but I’ve been doing some contact with the boys and it’s holding up okay so far. I had the same procedure the second time around, the surgeon put another plate the other side of the bone to strengthen it.
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“World Cups are just something you want to be part of. Playing for your country at a World Cup is another level. It was more frustrating the second time around because I was looking forward to playing some rugby at the end of the season but it just wasn’t meant to be.
“I’ve done bits and bobs – not quite full on yet – but during the stuff I have done so far it has been okay. I didn’t realise at the time but being away from rugby for that amount of time, the hunger is more there now I guess. You are doing it year in, year out – you take it for granted at times.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments