‘Beast’ an extreme learning curb for ‘Tongan Thor’

WITH just 11 Tests before the Rugby World Cup next year, Wallaby prop Taniela Tupou’s education had to start sooner rather than later.

Pitching “Tongan Thor” into his first start against South Africa’s 105-Test icon Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira in Port Elizabeth early tomorrow is the trial by fire Tupou needs.

Play every Test from now until Australia’s World Cup kick-off in a year and Tupou will arrive in Japan with only 17 under his belt.

Coach Michael Cheika yesterday told Tupou fans not to get overly excited.

“Don’t go putting him up there under a whole lot of expectations,” Cheika said.

“All I’m looking for is for him to be himself, play his game and be very certain about what he needs to do.

“He’ll bring emotion and aggression as he always does, but it’s not a solo show.”

Tupou, 22, is watching his diet on tour to maintain his massive 134kg frame.

“The Beast is one of the best and it’s obviously a big challenge against him,” he said yesterday. “In the Brisbane Test [against the Springboks], when he came on, he was pumped for the first scrum and I didn’t know what he would expect from me.

“I know you need to be ‘on’ at every scrum and I’m looking forward to working with the other boys in the front row, Scotty [Sio] and [hooker] Taf [Tatafu Polota-Nau].”

Sio, who will play his 50th Test in Port Elizabeth, said he “marvels at the athletic ability” within Tupou, who he judges as the Wallabies’ fastest and strongest tight forward.

After making his own Test debut at 21 in 2013, Sio is delighted to hit such a worthy mark, but only the sweet taste of winning will complete it.

“To win on the road in any competition is massive now. I’ve never won here in South Africa and it’s something I look forward to achieving.”