Career
His nickname is "Thomas the Tank" due to his size and strength. He performs a tank engine celebration when he scores pumping his arms
As a teenager, Waldrom specialised in shot put, discus and hammer throwing, setting several school and club records in these sports. Waldrom made his Wellington Lions provincial debut in 2001 against Otago.
He went on to play 80 games for Wellington at provincial level before moving to the Hawke"s Bay for the 2009 season.
Waldrom had become something of a fan favourite at McLean Park with his high work rate and powerful runs with the ball. In 2009 he helped the Magpies to a semi final, scoring 4 tries along the way.
Waldrom made his debut in 2004 for the Hurricanes against the Stormers. He went on to play 30 caps for the Hurricanes before signing with the Crusaders for the 2009 season.
On 23 February 2010 English Champions announced the signing of Waldrom and that he would join the team at the conclusion of the 2010 season.
Waldrom instantly became a firm favourite at Welford Road and has been given the nickname "Thomas the tank engine", due to his size and rampaging runs to which he has taken to giving an arm gesture as if blowing a train engines horn when scoring a try. Waldrom, who discovered only during the 2010-2011 season that he was eligible for England (see below), was named to the 45-man England training squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. The roster was cut to 30 before the team left for the World Cup.
Waldrom was cut from the 30-man squad, but an injury to prop Andrew Sheridan meant he was called in as injury replacement during the world cup final pool stages.
On 20 January 2014 confirmed the signing of Waldrom to a 3-year contract. My agent came round and he brought the pamphlet with the International Rugby Board"s rules regarding qualifying after residency.
My wife was going through the criteria. I rang up my mum in New Zealand, where it was four o"clock in the morning.
I apologised for waking her up and asked if nana was born in England.
She said yes, and that she also had the birth certificate to prove lieutenant This development made Waldrom immediately eligible for England selection.