Affectionately known as 'Thomas The Tank Engine', the hard running loose forward will go crashball all day if you ask him to.
The New Zealand-born No.8 was a top players for the Crusaders for many seasons and also represented the New Zealand Maori side before making the move to England and joining the Leicester Tigers. Waldrom became a firm favourite at the club where he earned his nickname and discovered that he had an English grandmother and qualified for England.
He was named to the England training squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, but was cut before their departure to New Zealand. An injury to prop Andrew Sheridan meant he was called in as injury replacement. Waldrom he won his first Test cap against the Springboks in 2012.
On 20 January 2014, Exeter Chiefs confirmed the signing of Waldrom on a 3-year contract and in 2016 he was shortlisted as Player of the Year by the RPA.
July 2016 saw him extend his stay at Exeter Chiefs until the end of the 2017/18 season.
In February 2018, Waldrom announced that he will be returning to Wellington Lions for the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup season, having spent the last four seasons in Devon.
In October in 2018, Waldrom called time on his playing career at the age of 35.
The powerful back rower made 5 appearances for England and helped Exeter Chiefs to three Premiership finals and won the competition with Leicester Tigers and Exeter.
He was also the Premiership's top scorer in the 2015/16 season.
JW OCT 18
Career
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Hurricanes No. 8 |
2004 - 2008 |
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Canterbury No. 8 |
2009 - 2010 |
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England No. 8 |
2012 - 2013 |
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Leicester Tigers No. 8 |
2010 - 2014 |
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Barbarians No. 8 |
2015 - 2015 |
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England Saxons No. 8 |
2015 - 2017 |
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Exeter Chiefs No. 8 |
2014 - 2018 |
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Wellington No. 8 |
2018 - 2018 |
