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Faletau tweets message from hospital bed as World Cup dream ends

Bath and Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau

Taulupe Faletau has underlined his disappointment with “how things have turned out” after he was sidelined from Wales’ World Cup campaign.

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Bath number eight Faletau, who has won 72 caps and played in four Tests for the British and Irish Lions, suffered a collarbone injury during Wales training.

The Welsh Rugby Union said he would require surgery following what the governing body described as “an innocuous training ground incident”.

Faletau tweeted a picture of him in a hospital bed on Friday, and said: “Thank you for all of your messages of support.

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“Disappointed with how things have turned out, and to miss out on the chance to represent Wales at RWC 2019 – but it wasn’t meant to be.

“Wishing the rest of the squad every success going forward. See you soon.”

https://twitter.com/taulupe/status/1157240825241358336

It is the latest major injury setback for Faletau, who broke his arm twice last season.

His last Wales appearance came more than 16 months ago, but he trained with the nation this summer and was recently part of an intensive two-week camp in the Swiss Alps.

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His absence will be keenly felt, although Wales have considerable back-row resources, with the likes of Ross Moriarty, Josh Navidi, Aaron Shingler, Justin Tipuric and Aaron Wainwright among those in head coach Warren Gatland’s training squad.

Gatland is due to name his final 31-man World Cup squad for Japan in early September, with Wales’ opening game being against Georgia in Toyota City on September 23.

Wales’ first World Cup warm-up fixture is a Twickenham appointment with England in nine days’ time.

Bath Director of Rugby, Stuart Hooper said of Faletau’s injury: “Any time a player misses out on a major competition is hugely disappointing – we are all feeling the impact of this news, especially as it follows a number of unfortunate and frustrating injuries for him. We will plan and support Toby’s recovery, making sure it is the very best for him, in order to maximise his successful return to the game.”

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– PA

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M
Mzilikazi 1 hour ago
Matt Faessler: ‘To be involved in a home World Cup would be just next level’

Thanks for the article, Brett. I must say I am disappointed that the Reds have lost both games against the two top teams from NZ they have played so far this year. I feel they should be more advanced under Les Kiss and his coaching team in what is now the second year of tenure.


The lineout, which you highlight in the article, is an obvious standout. Matt Faessler is shaping as a standout finisher of mauls, but that ability is wasted if the throw/lift/catch element is a shambles.


Also very disappointing so often is the ability to spread the ball wide using the “out the back” type passes well. Just watch Scotland, even currently weak Wales, to see the level of sophistication in this area that can be achieved.


In the final analysis, the breakdown work is not as good as all the NZ sides achieve with apparent ease. Their scrum halves so often have an “armchair ride” compared to our 9’s, who deal with slow and often scrappy ball. And I would say this applies to all our Australian sides, not only the Reds.


Not being one eyed on Qld, I am also disappointed to see the Waratahs not performing as one would have hoped, given the strength of their roster now. Ofc, one must also look at the injury toll effect on all teams.


And there is no question, on the positive side of this years competition, how very competitive all teams can be on their day. Mona Pacifica are looking more than just competitive now, but the Highlanders are are much better team than last year, as are the Force.


I find the background bits on players great reading always. and your recounting of Matt Faessler’s grandfather’s exploits is just up my street. Keep writing for us, please !!

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