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'Leaves with our blessing': Bath confirm end-of-season Faletau exit
Bath have confirmed that Taulupe Faletau will leave the Gallagher Premiership club at the end of the current season for an unnamed Welsh side. The No8 has his sights set on the 2023 World Cup and will return to a Welsh region – most likely Cardiff – in order to put himself in the best possible position to perform for his country.
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Faletau has so far made 64 appearances for Bath since signing in 2016 and he is currently with the Wales squad ahead of their next Autumn Nations Series match, this Saturday’s fixture versus the Springboks.
“It continues to be a privilege to work with Taulupe – he is a world-class No.8 who makes a significant impact on the field,” said Bath boss Stuart Hooper. “When all are fit and well, we have a robust back row and fierce competition across all three positions.
“As we develop our squad for 2022 a crucial factor is the availability of our players throughout the season. Having a squad that can compete during the international calendar is becoming fundamental as the quality of competition in the Premiership increases.
“Taulupe leaves with our blessing and we all wish him well for his future. We will, of course, give him a brilliant send-off when the time comes. Until then, our focus remains resolute on delivering a campaign we can all be proud of.”
TRANSFER: The 30-year-old Faletau joined Bath in 2016 from Dragons #GallagherPrem #URC #Bath #Waleshttps://t.co/VhLlhVI1FZ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 2, 2021
Faletau, the three-time, five-cap British and Irish Lions back-rower who has made 86 Wales appearances, added: “I will leave Bath at the end of the season with fond memories, both professionally and personally, plus two Bath-born sons. Bath has been a brilliant club for me over the years and I owe it a lot. I feel lucky to have played with such a great group of boys and I know that Bath’s success is coming. I will miss the team and everyone at the club, but my heart is set on returning to Wales and hopefully continuing my international playing ambitions. It feels like the right time for me, and my family, to return home.
“To date, I am disappointed to not have been able to personally contribute more but I am looking forward to giving it my all for the rest of the season with Bath. To the fans who continue to support through the highs and lows – thank you.”
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MATCH REPORT: Bottom-placed Bath were only 13-10 down at the time of Williams’ dismissal but they fell away to record their sixth consecutive loss#BATvWAS #Bath #Wasps #GallagherPremhttps://t.co/1uqQok7AGk
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 30, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
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