Good news for Warren Gatland and Welsh rugby – Taulupe Faletau is not ready to give up on his dream of once again playing for Wales.
That could give him an outside shot of convincing Gatland he is ready to return to the Test arena and add to his 104 Welsh caps in the Autumn Nations Series. The first of Wales’ three games is against Fiji on Sunday, 10 November – two days before Faletau’s 34th birthday.
After breaking his arm against Georgia at last year’s World Cup, Faletau unfortunately suffered another injury half-an-hour into his return for Cardiff against Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium in late April. This time it was fractured shoulder that required more surgery.
“The last injury was nuts. I was trying to seal off the ruck, somebody cleared me out and that was that,” said Faletau.
“I’ve watched games since, and it’s nuts how it happens. Even with the amount of time I’ve missed I still think I’ve got something to prove and a lot more to give.
“There is definitely still a hunger within me to play for Wales – I hope I can get back, and I feel I can. Warren (Gatland) popped into training at Cardiff a couple of weeks ago and we had a brief chat, but there was nothing further that just talking about the next month or so.
“The main thing is getting back on the pitch, that’s where you can make a difference. If you are not on there, you’ve got no hope.
“The aim is to get back out on the pitch with Cardiff, stay fit and give the season a good go. I’m still trying to get my full range of movement back in the shoulder.
“But we have finally put a date on it and penciled in the end of October. It depends on the physios, and maybe it will be even earlier if they’re happy.”
Ironically, Cardiff host Ulster at the Arms Park on 28 October in the last game in the first block of six games in the URC. That would give him one outing before Wales face Fiji, Australia a week later and then the world champions Springboks in their final game of the autumn.
With Aaron Wainwright still attempting to get back after surgery on his hamstring injury, Gatland could certainly do with having the man he first capped in 2011 back in his squad as he tries to end a nine-match losing streak.
A fully fit Faletau would provide Wales with a great option in the back row given his experience and quality. For Cardiff, adding to his 15 games over his first two seasons would also provide them with the necessary balance in the back row to help youngsters like Alex Mann and Mackenzie Martin.
