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Twitter: Welsh fans' somewhat surprising reaction to Taulupe Faletau injury
By Josh Raisey
Welsh fans on social media are remaining upbeat despite the news that number eight Taulupe Faletau will miss the World Cup with a clavicle injury which requires surgery.
This is the latest installment in a catalogue of injuries for the 28-year-old over the past three years. He has suffered extensively with knee injuries, and has not played any test rugby over the past year due to a twice-broken arm.
While this is a huge loss for Wales, as it has been over the past year, Warren Gatland has had plenty of preparation in playing without him. Wales won a Grand Slam, beat Australia and South Africa and enjoyed the bulk of their 14-match winning streak without the 72-cap forward, and while this is a bitter blow for the team, there is evidence that they can cope without him.
Ross Moriarty has deputised very well when Falatau has not been able to play, and with the bruising power of Josh Navidi in the back-row as well, Wales still can provide the brute force up front that Faletau brings.
That is why Welsh fans on Twitter are not too dismayed by this news. Of course, there are some that are rightfully worried, but this is not as calamitous as it would have been in 2015, for example.
Nonetheless, the two-time British and Irish Lions tourist is a world-class talent, and arguably Wales’ best player when fit. His problem over the past few years is that he has been ravaged by injury. The silver lining there is that it has given the squad time to prepare for his absence.
This has been the reaction:
Of course, all involved with Welsh rugby will be aware that this is a major loss, particularly given the confidence that Wales have going into the tournament. Faletau brings class and experience to the team, and he has seemingly been around forever despite only being 28.
But in spite of the Bath man’s class, many fans have confidence in the depth of the squad going into the World Cup.
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A specialist in hitting smaller guys hard and late. Serial cheap shot merchant who deserves more than the usual token sanction for such actions.
Go to commentsI like to see the Crusaders lose as much as the next non-Crusaders fan, but the fact that most of their best players have not been available this year is being hand waved away like it shouldn’t effect them. It’s no coincidence that their first dominant performance came when they had more of their best players back. This is not rocket science. If they can stay fit their team at the business end of the season will include Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Quentin Strange, Ethan Blackadder and Cullen Grace in the forwards - most of whom have barely, or not played this year. That is an outstanding pack that have not played together this season. McLeod, Havili, Aumua, Reece, and Halfpenny will be a very different prospect behind their first choice pack as well. Having said all that Penney’s record is scratchy at best, but given the players that have left and their injury list I’m reserving judgement. Penney’s appointment, a bit like Foz, has a similar stench of the incumbent having too much say in his replacement. They are lacking a truly high quality and experienced 10 which will make it hard for them to go the whole way IMO, but the list of teams who would want to play them in the finals will be very short.
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