Taine Plumtree was announced as a Scarlets signing last week and now, he’s been called to Wales’ men’s World Cup training squad by Warren Gatland.
The former Under 20 New Zealand international has spent all of his rugby career in New Zealand; despite being born in Swansea, Taine is the son of former Swansea and All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree.
This call-up follows the retirement of Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric, and the departure of Cory Hill from the Welsh training squad ahead of the showpiece event in September.
Taine Plumtree – new Welsh RWC squad member
Despite only making two substitute appearances in Super Rugby Pacific and only playing 16 minutes, what could Taine Plumtree offer this Wales squad?
(1) Ball-carrying prowess
Arguably one of Plumtree’s biggest strengths would be his ball-carrying despite standing at 6’5″. His height certainly doesn’t hinder his speed with a few clean breaks and a debut hatrick for Wellington in 2021.
His second score that day for Wellington against Northland should catch the eye of a few Welsh supporters. After a break from halfway from the scrum half, Plumtree offers himself as support on an inside line before changing his original line to attack the space and score.
During his two years with the Blues, Plumtree averaged over 2 meters per carry and racked up over 150 meters for Wellington in 2021.
(2) Unseen work off the ball
Taine Plumtree also possesses good work in the tight quarters of defense, especially in the breakdown and the rolling maul. He is likened to Tipuric in defenses, Plumtree hit a lot of rucks in Super Rugby and has won a couple of turnovers in the small amount of game time he has had this year. That will have impressed Gatland, who compares Super Rugby against the style of rugby played in Europe.
🎙 Warren Gatland on the addition of Taine Plumtree to the squad headed to Switzerland 👇#WelshRugby
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 4, 2023
A prime example of his maul defense can be found when playing for Wellington against Counties Manukau, where he jumped to compete in the lineout before landing in the middle of the maul and holding the ball up to win the turnover.
(3) Versatility
One thing that will be key for Warren Gatland’s side throughout the Rugby World Cup would be his versatility, players who can play at a high level in more than one position.
Whilst Taine Plumtree has played the majority of his rugby at blindside flanker, he can also move across to the number 8 position if needed. In addition to that he could also move into the second row when required.
Scarlets have announced the signing of forward Taine Plumtree from New Zealand side Blues 🏉 #BBCRugby pic.twitter.com/Q8YXXQmohl
— BBC ScrumV (@BBCScrumV) June 27, 2023
Some Welsh supporters have questioned the inclusion of Plumtree in comparison to Cardiff Rugby flanker Thomas Young and Ospreys number 8 Morgan Morris, although none are capable of covering lock and across all of the back row like Plumtree.
When Plumtree was called up to the squad, Gatland said: “He’s a six foot five back-row forward, we don’t have a lot of those in Wales.”
Verdict on Taine Plumtree’s inclusion
It could be the case that Taine Plumtree will not make the final cut for this Rugby World Cup. Although at 23, he could be brought into the training squad for experience ahead of future tournaments.
Gatland said that Plumtree will be “A player we want to keep in mind for the future.”
However, with versatility always playing apart within Rugby World Cup squads, Plumtree should be in mind when Gatland selects his final squad before their first game against Fiji on September 11th.
Wales play in Pool C pf the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Read more here.
“Main photo credit courtesy Wellington Lions facebook“
