Giant prop a perfect fit in Cup cauldron
NEWLY signed Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou is used to being the odd man out in Auckland, so he’ll feel right at home heading into Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup decider.
Tupou, who signed a fresh four-year deal with Rugby Australia and the Queensland Reds yesterday, grew up in Tonga as a Wallabies fan.
He then went to Auckland rugby school Sacred Heart College, which has produced more than 20 All Blacks, including former skipper Sean Fitzpatrick.
Tupou, who was part of Australia’s 47-26 win over the All Blacks in Perth on Saturday night, never changed his unpopular allegiance.
“When I was young in Tonga I used to wake up and watch (the Wallabies) against the All Blacks and against South Africa,” the 23-year-old said. “I used to watch James O’Connor and I was a big fan of Radike Samo, Will Genia and Quade Cooper.
“I went to New Zealand but I was still supporting Australia.
“Back in school I was the only one supporting the Wallabies and the rest were supporting the All Blacks, so it’s crazy now that I am here playing for Australia.’’
Tupou turned his back on some big overseas offers to resign until the 2023 World Cup in France but did not really consider going anywhere else.
“There’s some work to do here, so I’m going to work on myself and then after this deal we’ll see how we go after that.”
The “Tongan Thor” has won praise from teammates after taking his game and professionalism to a new level.
While a viral sensation at school for his bulldozing runs, he has worked hard to improve his scrummaging.