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WRU statement: Rugby World Cup training call-up for Taine Plumtree
By PA
Warren Gatland has called up uncapped back row forward Taine Plumtree to Wales’ World Cup training squad for a two-week camp in Switzerland. Plumtree is part of a group that has travelled to Fiesch in the Swiss Alps, the Welsh Rugby Union said.
The 23-year-old was born in Swansea and is the son of former Ireland, Japan and New Zealand assistant coach John Plumtree. A New Zealand U20s international, he has played Super Rugby for the Auckland-based Blues and will link up with the Scarlets next season.
Wales head coach Gatland has seen his back-row options hit by Justin Tipuric retiring from Test rugby and Josh Macleod suffering a shoulder injury.
Plumtree now has a golden opportunity to showcase World Cup credentials ahead of Gatland announcing his final 33-strong squad next month.
Gatland said: “We have called up Taine Plumtree to the squad to give him an opportunity. I spoke to Taine about three weeks ago about the possibility. He seemed pretty excited.
“He was born in Swansea, has come through the New Zealand system and is also eligible for South Africa as well with a South African mum. For us, given that we have had Josh Macleod pull out of the squad due to injury, some players unavailable and Taulupe Faletau has picked up a bit of an injury, we thought it was a great opportunity for Taine to come in.
“He is a six-foot five-inch back-row forward – we don’t have a lot of those in Wales. Whether he makes the World Cup squad or not, he is definitely a player we want to keep in mind for the future.
“Potentially, that is later down the track with the Six Nations, but he gets a chance to come in and we just know how excited he is to get the opportunity to come in and take that chance with us out in Switzerland.”
Wing Alex Cuthbert and fly-half Owen Williams, meanwhile, have not made the trip due to personal reasons. Number eight Faletau is expected to join the group next week as he continues his recovery from a calf muscle injury.
Wales will head to Turkey later this month for a second overseas camp before two World Cup warm-up games in August against England and a Principality Stadium appointment with South Africa. Wales’ opening World Cup fixture sees them face Fiji in Bordeaux on September 10.
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Latest Comments
I think the best 15 we have is DMac. Jordan at 14.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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