Taulupe Faletau will win his 100th Wales cap when he runs out against France on Saturday.
The quiet 32-year-old No. 8 has been one of Wales' most consistent performers of the modern era, becoming a mainstay through Wales' Six Nations success under Warren Gatland and playing five Tests for the British and Irish Lions over three tours since his international career began back in 2011 with a debut against the Barbarians.
He becomes the eighth member of an exclusive Welsh 100-cap club that comprises George North, Dan Biggar, Alun Wyn Jones, Gethin Jenkins, Stephen Jones, Gareth Thomas and Martyn Williams.
Regarded as a world-class player and one of the best-ever in the world in his position, off the field he enjoys an even quieter life with his wife, children and ever-supportive family.
From Tonga to Wales
Faletau became the first Pacific Island-born player to represent Wales after moving from Tonga with his family as a child, arriving in Wales aged seven. His dad Kuli, who earned 20 caps in the second row for Tonga, was playing club rugby in Wales at the time.
It turns out that him joining Ebbw Vale in 1997 ultimately led to his son becoming one of Wales' best-ever rugby players. Kuli initially headed for Eugene Cross Park on his own, with his wife Vika and their three children - Taulupe, his brother Siua and sister Fipe - remaining on Tofoa in the Haʻapai group of islands.
But the family reunited in south Wales so the children had more opportunities. “It was a way for us to give our children a better life," Kuli said. "I never thought they were going to be playing rugby. The main reason I wanted to bring them here was to be educated.”
You can read the full story of the Faletaus here.
Faletau's wife and growing family
Faletau and his wife Charlotte, whose sister Emma is married to Wales football legend Gareth Bale, have been married for just over three years, tying the knot at the Celtic Manor Resort back in 2019.
They had been together for around six years prior to their nuptials.
Faletau has previously spoken about how much support Charlotte has offered throughout his rugby career.
“I think everyone knows I am not really a person to say much,” he previously said. “But when I have something to say, it will probably be my wife I say it to. She gets everything else that I don’t let off at work. I tell her. She’s the person I talk to and she’s the one that kind of points me in the direction she thinks I should go.
“She is the one who has supported me throughout the whole thing. My parents as well sometimes, but they know that I keep myself to myself. So, yeah, my wife has been a big supporter in each set-back I’ve had. She’s patient in these scenarios.”
The couple have two sons together: six-year-old Israel and four-year-old Ezekiel. Early this year, the couple took to social media to share a sweet video of Charlotte telling her husband she was pregnant with their third child.
A quiet man
While Faletau will be known the rugby world over for his decade-long reputation as one of the most athletic, skilful and explosive No. 8s in the world, he is also renowned among fans and the media as a man of few words in comparison to those mighty deeds.
He once said: "Speaking in front of a group of people is probably my worst nightmare."
But younger cousin and England international Billy Vunipola, though, says it is a misconception that Faletau is quiet and reserved at all times. "That’s just an impression you get from watching him on TV,” Vunipola said. “From growing up with him, he was always chatting and that’s how I knew he was so determined to make something huge with his rugby career."
100 Wales caps
Faletau's wife, children, parents and sister will be watching on when he runs out for his 100th Wales cap in Paris on Saturday afternoon.
Dad Kuli, who is based in Pontypool and works for the council in Ebbw Vale, will deliver a familiar message to his son ahead of Wales' 2023 Six Nations finale.
"Every game he plays for Wales, I always tell him ‘God be the glory, be humble and keep your feet on the ground’."
His dad generally prefers to watch Faletau's performances on TV to study the action closely ahead of a debrief with his son. But he has decided to head to Paris to take in the momentous occasion in person.
“There will be lots of family there to cheer him on,” says Kuli. "This time I have decided to go to France because it is going to be a big day for Taulupe. I am very, very proud of him and all the family is as well. It will be a big thing for the family.”
As for his on-field achievements, Wales head coach Warren Gatland - who awarded Faletau his first Wales cap 12 years ago - said: "Toby has been a fantastic servant for Welsh rugby.
"Even though he's reaching 100 caps he's still pretty quiet, but he's incredibly well respected by the players for what he's achieved.
"I remember in the early years he was just a constant and he became absolutely world class in terms of his performances.
"There's a lot of things that people don't see in terms of his ability to read the game - he'll run support lines that people don't see. You see that when you're going back through the videos and there have been times where he's been on the end of a pass and scored tries. We saw that last week [against Italy], Rhys Webb makes a break and Toby scores a try.
"Getting 100 caps is a great recognition for what he's achieved in the game. It's fantastic for him and his family and hopefully we can go out there and give him a really good performance and something for him to remember."
READ MORE:
How a humble family helped turn their boy into one of the best Welsh rugby players ever
What became of Taulupe Faletau's team-mates in his first game of professional rugby
