Being raised in AFL-mad Melbourne and supporting the All Blacks is hardly the classic path to an Australian rugby union jersey but it worked for squad newcomer Ben Tapuai.
The robust 22-year-old Queensland centre was one of three uncapped players chosen in Monday’s 26-man squad for the brief tour that takes in matches against the Barbarians at Twickenham and Wales in Cardiff.
His Reds team mate, backline utility Ben Lucas and Waratahs forward Dave Dennis were the other newcomers, though the latter played in non-Test matches on the 2009 Wallabies Spring Tour.
“He (Dennis) was probably unlucky in the first instance not to make that World Cup squad, but he gets his opportunity now, we expect him to do well, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said.
“Ben Tapuai earned the right off the back of his Super Rugby experience and played very well on the Gold Coast for the Australian Barbarians against Canada.
“Ben Lucas is obviously a very versatile player. There’s an opening at No.9, which is where most of Benny’s background is, with Luke Burgess going to play his rugby offshore, his versatility will be handy.”
An Australian Schoolboys and under 20 representative, Tapuai has enjoyed a remarkable rise in recent months after being a fringe player for the Reds at the start of the season.
His rugby career took off when he got a scholarship to Queensland’s Southport School, a noted producer of national talent including current Test forwards James Slipper, Scott Higginbotham and Rob Simmons.
“I was born in Brisbane but raised in Melbourne, so that’s why I was lucky enough to get a a scholarship up to the Gold Coast, because Melbourne is run by AFL and I was never going to play that sport,” Tapuai said.
“I was actually an All Black fan when I was a bit younger, but that kind of changed once I started making the the Aussie rep (teams).
“Once I put on the first Aussie jumper, I think I was 17, for the Aussie schoolboys, I knew it was pretty special to try and make the Wallabies,” added Tapuai, who gets stick from heaps of relatives in New Zealand.
Otagobeef
Guest
Oops sorry it doesn't say that. But I would have thought to "leave behind the all blacks", he would have first have to have been with them? Just a thought.
Justin
Guest
Hey if he can turn in a blinder outside Barnes as he did for the Baa Baa's then he must be OK :)
john griffiths
Guest
I want to see Slater in a Wallabies jersey. Hes a natural that is wasted on Leagues non existant world stage.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Be interesting to see him get his shot without Cooper playing inside him. I think that's half of the reason why he got selected isnt it??.
Damo
Guest
Back to the point please Memo tO AB fans - you won the cup, take it easy now. Re Tapuai good luck to him (but I too wish that someone would throw money at Inglis) We need some big competition in the centres, someone who can tackle Nonu or SBW AND step around or through them. Now is that asking too much?
Sage
Guest
Talk about looking for insults. No Mr Beef, it doesn't say that at all but here we go again , straight into 'maybe the wallabies could try doing that to the Haka'. Sigh.
Justin
Guest
I'm sure you could...
Name Name Name
Guest
Haha @ Heaps
Cattledog
Guest
“turns his back on the all blacks”. Where does the article say that? Talk about taking things out of context!
Otagobeef
Guest
"turns his back on the all blacks". Is this just to get headlines. You have to be kidding. How come someone born in Australia, played all his rugby in australia, be eligle for the all blacks. What a joke from AAP to grab a headline. He is a good S15 player and deserves his chance to Play test rugby. But just because he once supported NZ and then decided not to does not mean he is turning his back to the all blacks (maybe the wallabies could try doing that to the Haka). Kepu is a classic example of someone turning his back on NZ rugby. Again I don't think anyone has been named in an all black squad and then said no so they could go and represent another national team. Turning your back on NZ rugby is common, but not the all blacks.
Heavyd
Guest
Ben Tapuai will be an absolute superstar. He is a mini SBW with his ability to break the line and then pop offloads. I still cannot believe Deans did not take him to the RWC as this guy outside of Quade could have lead to a very different campaign by the Wallabies. Now Robbie give him some game time and let him show you what he can do.
Cattledog
Guest
'His rugby career took off when he got a scholarship to Queensland’s Southport School, a noted producer of national talent including current Test forwards James Slipper, Scott Higginbotham and Rob Simmons.' Aaaah, where does Nathan Sharpe fit, then?
Dingo
Guest
I can think of at least another dozen league players that would make great Wallaby centres
RebelsRanger
Guest
they do mace, but when they get looked over they check for Wallabies eligibility.. i jest I do not think he is international quality (nothing against the guy, i went to church with him) but is not a quick, distributing inside like Giteau and doesn't look strong enough to play the power role like a Nonu.. Australia needs to produce some superstar centres within the next 4 years. Raid the league talent, you guys need a Inglis or Hayne.
Justin
Guest
Played his jnr footy and was brought up in Melbourne, got a scholarship to TSS as numerous kids form Melbourne did/do at around 15. Similar to Oli Avel, Kit Maulio and Rex Tapuai in the early 2000s. Tghey went throught the VIC RU Talent ID program.
mace 22
Guest
I thought everyone supported the all blacks. If they don't It's news to me.
Galaxy Hop
Guest
Why on Earth did he ever support the All Blacks? Fairweather Ben 'aye.
jameswm
Guest
from age 12 fos.
formeropenside
Guest
Born in Brisbane please, and educated up here as well.
Roscoe
Guest
And another Box Hill junior!