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Worcester confirm Joe Taufete'e is quitting the Premiership for a stint in Top 14

By Online Editors
(Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

Worcester have confirmed that their United States international Joe Taufete’e is to join French Top 14 club Lyon at the end of the current season.

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RugbyPass reported last month that the American and Connacht’s Australian back row Colby Fainga’a had been recruited by the French for the 2020/21 season.

Warriors have now confirmed that their 27-year-old hooker, who has so far made 46 appearances and scored six tries since arriving at Sixways from San Diego Breakers in October 2016, is indeed leaving.

During his time in the Premiership, Taufete’e has become one of the USA Eagles’ leading players and an international record breaker.

When he crossed for a hat-trick of tries against Uruguay in Seattle last March, Taufete’e broke Keith Wood’s record for most Test level tries by a front row forward. Taufete’e claimed the record in only his 21st international appearance.

(Continue reading below…)

Officials in the firing line after England’s win over Ireland

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Taufete’e’s achievement was recognised by World Rugby who shortlisted him for their player of the year award last year.

A convert from American football, he made his international debut in the 2015 World Cup and also played in all four of United States’ four group matches in last year’s tournament in Japan.

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“Joe has been an integral part of Warriors for some years and the contribution he has made is greatly valued and appreciated,” said Warriors’ boss Alan Solomons.

“Joe is not only a first-class rugby player, but an outstanding bloke and team man who will always be welcome here at Sixways. From a personal point of view, it has been a pleasure to work with Joe. We wish him all the best in his new venture.”

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Bull Shark 40 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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