Former prop Taumoepeau in legal battle with Warriors over his departure

9:00am Friday 15th March 2013 in Sport Photograph of the Author Exclusive By Tom Guest, @tomguestWN #WENsport

TEVITA TAUMOEPEAU: Had his contract terminated by Worcester Warriors. TEVITA TAUMOEPEAU: Had his contract terminated by Worcester Warriors.

WORCESTER Warriors are facing a courtroom battle over long-serving prop Tevita Taumoepeau’s acrimonious Sixways departure.

The popular tighthead had his contract terminated in October after it became clear he was struggling to regain full fitness after a serious nerve injury in his neck restricted the movement in his left hand.

I understand Taumoepeau, who has been left disabled by the injury, has filed various legal claims against the Sixways club.

The 38-year-old front-rower, a veteran of some 181 Warriors appearances, had his contract ended last year and it is likely a notice period will now have expired, meaning he has already left the club.

Players usually have a clause written into their contracts giving the club the right to cancel the deal if he misses six months of a 12-month period through injury, though it is extremely rare for that action to be taken.

It has been claimed Taumoepeau’s injury may have been exacerbated by him playing on through the problem due to his importance to the side and his ability to lock out Warriors’ scrum.

When I contacted Taumoepeau to discuss the matter, he said he was unable to say anything due to on-going legal proceedings. Warriors also declined to comment.

Meanwhile, with Taumoepeau’s future clouded in uncertainty, Warriors moved to bring in fellow tighthead Euan Murray on loan, before handing the highly-paid Scottish international a contract for next term.

It is believed that many players at the club are unhappy with the way Taumoepeau has been treated.

The giant Tongan prop has been a rock in the Worcester scrum since joining the club in 2005 from French outfit Bourgoin.

Comments(12)

Respectable says...
9:38am Fri 15 Mar 13

A sad end to a great servants association with Worcester.

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Officer Nordburg says...
9:58am Fri 15 Mar 13

Have to agree Respectable. Lets hope the club and Big Dave can agree over this soon I for one would love to see him on the pitch before a game this season so us fans can give him the send off he warrents.

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dulon says...
10:18am Fri 15 Mar 13

Dave has been a remarkable asset to the Warriors . His age suggests that he was nearing the end of his career though . In this day of professionalism and the increasing frequency of injuries , I would suppose that there is an insurance system in place both for employers and employee ? Maybe someone would like to enlighten us on the subject . They don't make 'em' like Big Dave very often and his loss has/will be much felt by all.

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zx12r says...
11:19am Fri 15 Mar 13

According to the faithful at Pirates last Sunday, it would appear we are about to, or have signed Paul Andrews as replacement.
I just hope we sign Phil Burgess with him.

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Bushi says...
12:29pm Fri 15 Mar 13

A true Warriors legend. I'm gutted that his career at Sixways has to end like this. I hope that the management at Warriors can let him take to the pitch on the last day of the season (assuming he's still in the UK) and let us all give him the send off he deserves

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amvarmalc says...
12:29pm Fri 15 Mar 13

It's a real shame if Big Dave's career at Sixways ends in this way.
I've met him - not only has he been a fantastic servant to Warriors, he's also a really genuine professional. Our scrum has not been the same since he 'retired'
I really hope too, us fans will get to thank him 'on the pitch' before the season's out

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worcestawarrior says...
1:57pm Fri 15 Mar 13

Too many fans favourites leaving without a final farewell from the faithful to the loyal.

All the best Dave (alias TT) a man who never put less than his heart and soul in to the club and who's presence will be sorely missed at Sixways and down town

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Officer Nordburg says...
2:34pm Fri 15 Mar 13

zx12r wrote:
According to the faithful at Pirates last Sunday, it would appear we are about to, or have signed Paul Andrews as replacement.
I just hope we sign Phil Burgess with him.
Andrews is a loosehead Dave was a tighthead so he certainly is not his replacement. As reported in the article Ewan Murray has been signed as his replacement.

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zx12r says...
5:48pm Fri 15 Mar 13

If our opponents switch their games to Sunday next season (as they can) what use will Murray be then. + be on the biggest salary at the club.

It's a total joke having a bloke who may only play just over half a league season.

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Officer Nordburg says...
8:12pm Fri 15 Mar 13

Actually it requires the permission of both teams to change the games, the only reason Worcester will accept I am sure is due to the side not being the main tennant of the ground, when they are forced to play on a sunday by the main tennant.

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zx12r says...
10:06pm Fri 15 Mar 13

So how come the likes of Wasps etc, wish to travel to Worcester to play on an infernal Friday night.

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Officer Nordburg says...
10:45am Sat 16 Mar 13

I don't know perhaps it gives them an extra days rest before what they consider more important games.

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