Fab at 40, Filisi can crown it all with Cup
TAU Filise is ready to make one last historic stand for Cardiff Blues as the first 40-year-old to appear in a European club final.
Far from being over the hill, the durable Tongan tighthead is expected to provide the basis for the Blues’ attempt to recapture the Challenge Cup against Gloucester this week – eight years after helping the capital region win it against Toulon in Marseilles.
Friday night in Bilbao will bring Filise to the end of the longest road in the contemporary game, a fortnight before he turns 41. It will make him the oldest finalist by a country mile, smashing the record set by ex-France hooker Sebastien Bruno who was 38 when he won the Champions’ Cup with Toulon in 2013.
Filise’s achievement in defying the test of time deserves to be put in a global perspective. He has out-lasted a pair of Test locks renowned for their longevity – Simon Shaw and Brad Thorn, each of whom appeared in European ties at the age of 39 but without getting anywhere near the final.
Given a standing ovation before more than 60,000 in Cardiff at last weekend’s Judgement Day doubleheader, Filise has proved outstanding value since head coach Danny Wilson re-signed him for one more campaign.
“People were quick to say: ‘I can’t believe you’re re-signing a 40-year-old prop.’” Wilson told The Rugby Paper. “Every team needs a rock-solid scrum and that 40-year-old tighthead has been just that, rock-solid.
“What a servant he’s been for Cardiff Blues. Even after 250-odd games he can still pull out the big performance, as he did against the Ospreys last week and against Munster before that. Tau keeps going and going and that’s the hallmark of the man. He is phenomenal.’’
The only Welsh team to have won a European trophy in more than 20 years, the Blues’ mission in the Basque Country will be Wilson’s last match in charge before joining Wasps. A win would emulate Dai Young’s feat in winning the same trophy against Jonny Wilkinson’s Toulon before taking over as director of rugby at Wasps.
“I will miss the players but I don’t have regrets,’’ Wilson says. “It’s been a roller-coaster season, taking us from a dark place initially all the way to a European final. Collectively, that is something we are extremely proud of.’’
The extra £500,000 per club generated by the extension of the PRO14 to include two South African teams helped avert the financial crisis which had engulfed the Arms Park last summer. Wilson acknowledges that as ‘the single most important factor’ behind his revival of the club.
“That enabled us to keep our squad together and become successful,’’ he says. “Our playing format revolves around a group of seven leaders. On the coaching front, Matt Sherratt has been outstanding. Shaun Edwards coming in one day a week has had a dramatic effect and Richard Hodge has made a big contribution in moving from the Academy to coaching with the first team.
“Now that we’ve got to the final we will settle for nothing less than winning it. Bringing the trophy back to the Arms Park after all these years would be a nice way to finish.’’
Two of the brightest of the new Blues, wing Owen Lane, 20, and fly-half Jarrod Evans, 21, have forced their way into contention for Wales’ series in Argentina next month with the squad to be named on Tuesday.
“Owen has played well enough for long enough to be in with a shout,’’ Wilson says. “And we all know about Jarrod’s running and passing game.
“Mark Sherratt has been really good for Jarrod this year and Nicky Robinson has helped develop his kicking game. Jarrod has gained massively from the experienced heads in the team.’’