Taine Basham was delighted to kick-off the new season and his move to Cardiff with a bonus-point win over Lions.
The back-row made the switch to the Arms Park in the summer and was a standout performer as the Blue & Blacks begun the BKT United Rugby Championship in winning fashion.
There has been plenty of excitement about what the dynamic back rower can bring to the Arms Park. And following an impressive pre-season, the 24-year-old is showing plenty of glimpses of his quality – and admits he’s thriving in his new surroundings.
“Yeah, it’s a solid start. There’s plenty of different things going on in a game, but the boys back themselves and we had a great crowd on a Saturday night at the Arms Park.
“It was amazing to feel that for the first time as a Cardiff player – and to top it off with a fantastic result as well.”
New chapter, fresh energy
After several years at the Dragons, Basham felt the time was right for a new challenge. The chance to join Cardiff, play in the capital, and test himself in a highly competitive squad has given him fresh energy.
“It’s been great. The boys have been very welcoming since pre-season,” he said.
“We had a good hit-out against Richmond, then a really strong win in Dublin, and this weekend at home was another step. Even with Matt Sherratt moving on, the attacking game plan is still in place and we’re playing a great brand of rugby.
“Even in tough weather conditions you can see we’re still brave enough to move the ball and play with ambition – and that really suits me as a player.”
Fitting into the pack
Basham’s arrival has added yet more firepower to an already talented Cardiff back row. With the likes of Alex Mann, Taulupe Faletau, Alex Mann, James Botham and Dan Thomas, competition for places is bringing the best out of everyone.
“There’s a really good balance here,” Basham explained.
“At the Dragons there was always depth in the back row, and it’s the same in Cardiff. Everyone brings something slightly different – carrying, tackling, breakdown – and we’re building a strong bond.
“The communication out on the pitch has been massive too. The way players coach each other during games is huge, and the leadership group with boys like Liam Belcher, Callum Sheedy, Josh Turnbull and Ben Thomas really drive that. For me, it’s been brilliant for settling in.”
Learning, maturing, competing
Basham’s breakthrough with Wales came quickly, featuring against the All Blacks on debut in 2021 and being part of the squad during a busy international period. Now, with more experience behind him, he says he feels ready to push on and play his best rugby at club level.
“Yeah, I’d say I’m a bit more mature now. My first cap came quite quickly and it was a bit of a whirlwind at the time. I learned a lot, even in tough situations when results weren’t always going our way.
“Now I’m at a club where every single game is competitive, and we’re pushing to win every time we take the field. That’s exactly the environment I wanted to be in. For me, it’s about playing well for Cardiff, building consistency, and being the best version of myself.”
Looking ahead
Cardiff’s pre-season form and win over Lions has given the squad confidence, but Basham insists there is plenty more to come as they head into a demanding block of fixtures.
“It’s about being brave and backing ourselves, and you can see that in the way we want to play. Personally, there’s still lots to work on, but I just want to keep improving week by week.
“This is such a historic club with a proud history. To be here now, playing competitive rugby every week and chasing results, it feels amazing. I just want to contribute as much as I can and enjoy being part of this team.”
