By Paul Jones
Taulupe Faletau insists Wales are better than their results would have us believe and reckons the proof will come next season.
The Wales No.8 claims 2023 – which includes a World Cup as well as a Six Nations – will see Wales revert to being a team that wins close games rather than loses them.
The Lions star produced a familiar world class display which almost proved enough to deny Grand Slam-seeking France in a raucous Cardiff on Friday night before Les Bleus edged home, 13-9.
While the French can lay on a spread for Les Rosbifs when England go to Paris next week, Wales will take out their frustrations on Italy, having lost their title.
But even though Faletau’s team have managed just one win in four games, the narrowness of their back-to-back losses to France and England has given the Bath star reasons for optimism.
“We put ourselves in a decent position to come away with a win,” said Faletau.
“We didn’t do that, but we will take confidence from what we were able to create, the chances and pressure we were able to apply.
This ain’t breaking news or anything new but Taulupe Faletau just plays on a different level.
— Freddie Burns (@FreddieBurns) March 11, 2022
“We are a squad that is building. We will just drive each other forward to get the best out of each other.
“The boys are disappointed because we have put ourselves in a decent position to win the last couple of games and come out on the wrong end both times.
“We will take confidence from playing against a team like France and having opportunities to win the game, and work on putting away the chances.”
Wales might well have won the game had centre Jonathan Davies been able to nail their best chance which was created by the sublime brilliance of Faletau.
The back rower was lurking out wide, when he took Dan Biggar’s cross-kick without breaking stride and instantly fired a superb pass inside to Davies, who somehow spilled it.
“We gave ourselves an opportunity, but we didn’t quite cross over the line,” added the triple Lions tourist.
Faletau, 31, has produced two magnificent displays in consecutive matches for Wales, made all the more astonishing since they were his first games since injuring his ankle playing for the Lions in South Africa last summer.
In Cardiff, he was the game’s top carrier with 14, and also made more metres – 107 – than any other player.
“The ball is like a peanut in his hand!”
Taulupe Faletau shows what he’s all about with a brilliant break and a delightful offload to give @bathrugby their first score of the day!
Class from the Welsh international 💪 pic.twitter.com/0oaYctHME0
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) January 12, 2019
The Tongan-born star, who is returning to Wales to play for Cardiff next season, added: “I am just trying to enjoy every opportunity I am given to play.
“From being out for so long and watching from the touchline, it just makes you appreciate every chance you get. I am trying to enjoy every game.”
He won’t be the only member of the Wales old guard likely to get a chance to sign off the tournament on a high against the Italians.
Injured captain Alun Wyn Jones may be 36 but he’s thirsting for another return to the battlefield, having been added to the squad by coach Wayne Pivac.
Jones has recovered from a shoulder injury which has sidelined him since October and required surgery, sparking fears he might not play again this season.
Instead, the old warrior is poised to return for what would be a landmark 150th cap for his country.
Faletau added: “It’s amazing. Someone like him with his experience and energy he brings into the group is only a plus, and I am sure the rest of the group will feed off him.”
