‘I knew it was a bad one’ – Taulupe Faletau details ‘nuts’ injury and provides an update
Taulupe Faletau has detailed his latest injury setback and his road back to full fitness.
Wales and Cardiff back-rower Taulupe Faletau has detailed his latest injury setback and his road back to full fitness.
The 33-year-old has had his fair share of injury setbacks throughout his career but has been incredibly unlucky of late.
He broke his arm during the 2023 Rugby World Cup and after a prolonged spell on the sidelines, he finally made his return six months later for Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship.
However, that return was short-lived as he broke his shoulder in his first game back and has spent the next six months since nursing the injury.
Faletau targets October return
According to Faletau, if all goes to plan with regard to his rehab, he could be back on the pitch in the URC clash against Ulster on Saturday, 26 October.
The number eight has also revealed how the injury happened and that he immediately knew that it was a ‘nasty’ one.
“I am still trying to get back from my shoulder injury, trying to get my full range of movement back,” Faletau told Cardiff’s official club website.
“We have finally put a date on it and pencilled in the end of October, hopefully. It depends on the physios, maybe it will be earlier if they’re happy.
“It will then be a case of slowly dripping back into contact and seeing how the shoulder goes.”
Detailing how the injury occurred, he added: “The injury was nuts. One of the boys caught it when I was trying to seal the ruck, somebody cleared me out and that was that.
“I’ve watched games since and it’s nuts how it happens. I heard a movement, which I thought maybe was a dislocation – like it had popped out and in again.
“I knew it was a bad one and the amount of time I would be out for, you manage what you need to do and how you plan that out.”
Exciting times at Cardiff
The brilliant back-rower is now back in training with the Cardiff squad as they ramp up preparations for the start of the new season.
The Welsh outfit will be eager to improve on their performances from last season which saw them win just four of their 18 matches.
But Faletau is focused on slowly building towards being fully match-fit once again.
“In the last couple of weeks, I’ve been able to train with the boys and it’s just nice to have a ball in your hands,” he said.
“The main aim is to get back out on the pitch with Cardiff, stay fit and give the season a good go.”
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