Wallabies give Tongan giant first Test jersey
TONGAN THOR: Taniela Tupou is on the bench for the Wallabies against Scotland this weekend. Tupou’s strong running is a highlight of his play.
RUGBY UNION: “Tongan Thor” Taniela Tupou admitted tears openly flowed when the giant prop was surprised by his naming for a Wallabies debut against Scotland early tomorrow morning (AEST) at Murrayfield.
The 132kg Tupou, 21, is an exciting inclusion on the bench after fulfilling his three-year residency requirement only on Wednesday to play for his adopted country.
The power-running forward’s debut coincides with the 129th and final Test for veteran hooker Stephen Moore who has been named
to start for his sign-off appearance.
“I’m lost for words. I was in tears when I found out (at the team meeting),” Tupou said after a training session on the outside field at Murrayfield in biting two degree temperatures.
Tupou said it was an emotional moment because he had dreamt of representing the Wallabies since childhood and was not swayed when a school scholarship to Auckland put him in the sights of hungry New Zealand rugby scouts.
“All I wanted to do was play for Australia from those early times growing up and always watching the Wallabies play the All Blacks on TV,” Tupou said.
“I did my schooling in NZ, but it didn’t change me wanting to play for the Wallabies.”
The ball-running and quick tackle-busting moves he makes to shed defenders come naturally. It will be the scrummaging exam that decides whether Tupou has been rushed or is perfectly equipped to deal with the canny Scots.
His YouTube highlights reel made him an internet star before he had won his stripes at the top level, but the grounded Tupou has put in the hard graft with mentors like former Reds coach Nick Stiles to fortify his set-piece work.
“As a front-rower, if you don’t know how to scrummage you won’t get picked,” Tupou said. “I’ve improved a lot (in that area) and I’m still learning.”
Tupou has a great sense of humour and it came through when a Scottish journalist asked him why he did not aspire to play for Tonga.
“I’d love to play for Tonga one day and if we had rugby league rules I could play for the Wallabies and then play for Tonga in two years,” Tupou said.
Lock-flanker Lukhan Tui has also been included on the bench after recovering from the hamstring issue that has ruled him out of three Tests on tour.
Experienced Ben McCalman comes in at flanker for the injured Ned Hanigan (knee) while Blake Enever retains his starting spot as the replacement for Adam Coleman (thumb), who has flown back to Australia.