Waldrom to leave Exeter Chiefs

Thomas Waldrom has today confirmed he is to leave the Exeter Chiefs at the end of the current 2017/18 season.

The free-scoring No.8, who has scored 50 tries in 91 appearances for the club to date, says the time has now come for him to return home to his native New Zealand with his family.

His departure after four seasons with the Chiefs will undoubtedly be felt by everyone at Sandy Park, particularly given his outstanding form since arriving from Aviva Premiership rivals Leicester Tigers in 2014, but he insists he still has plenty to play for between now and the end of the season.

“The Chiefs will always be a big part of my life and I’ll definitely come back and visit in the future,” said the 34-year-old forward. “It’s a great place to come and play rugby and I would recommend coming here to anyone who asked.

“From the first meeting I had with Rob, talking to him and seeing where the club wanted to go, I knew I made the right decision. Coming down and seeing first hand everything that was here and what the club did, I knew straight away it was the right fit for me and my family.

Indeed, Waldrom has more than proved his worth to the Chiefs, helping the club last season to record a first-ever Premiership title with victory over Wasps at Twickenham.

Waldrom insists, however, that he still has plenty to do between now and his departure, namely helping the Chiefs to push on in their Premiership title defence.

“There is still lots to do before I go,” he said. “I know what this team can achieve and, fingers crossed, we can get back to where we were last season come the end of the season. The squad we have, the players within the group, it’s an outstanding bunch who are capable of achieving so much together.

“A lot of what we have done is down to the players themselves, but at the same time Rob [Baxter] and the other coaches do put a lot of responsibility on us as players as well. We do lots of work off the pitch, but when you get things right on the pitch, that’s when they are the first to reward you.”

As for the future, Waldrom insists any talk of retirement is very much premature. Instead, he has playing options back home to consider, as well as settling back into familiar surroundings with his family.