Comeback kid Ben Tapuai has defended Reds teammate Quade Cooper and owned up to his own form slump ahead of a potential fairytale return for the Wallabies.
Melbourne-raised Tapuai is well in the frame to play in Saturday night’s second Test against the British and Irish Lions in his home town following an injury-forced SOS sounded by Robbie Deans.
Deans had placed the Queensland centre squarely into the middle of the red-hot Cooper debate a month ago when he blamed the controversial 38-Test playmaker’s play for Tapuai’s mid-season Super Rugby slump.
Despite playing the last six Tests of 2012 and starting 2013 brightly for the Reds, the 24-year-old was benched by coach Ewen McKenzie, and ultimately overlooked for the Wallabies’ 31-man squad.
But Tapuai – who could start at either inside or outside centre against the Lions with midfielders Christian Lealiifano (concussion), Pat McCabe (neck) and Adam Ashley-Cooper (shoulder) all in doubt – said a hectic schedule and mere two-week off-season break had taken a toll on his form.
“The way Quade played didn’t affect my form,” he told AAP on Monday, adding he was surprised by Deans’ comments suggesting Cooper’s inconsistency rubbed off negatively on others.
“That’s Robbie’s opinion and everyone is entitled to their opinion but my body was getting sore and wasn’t pulling my weight up.
“My form wasn’t affected by someone else.
“Playing round one to round 10 my body was getting a bit tired and a bit sore.”
Waiting in the wings with Rob Horne, Tapuai is holding some mixed feelings as he aims to join forces again with 2012 playmaker Kurtley Beale for the second Test.
As much as he’d love to line up at Etihad Stadium, he also wishes Lealiifano can be cleared of a head knock which reduced his debut at Suncorp Stadium to a heart-breaking 52 seconds.
The pair are friends and junior Melbourne rugby rivals with Tapuai playing for Box Hill and Lealiifano for Northcote.
“It wasn’t good at all because I know him pretty well and his family,” said Tapuai.
“Rugby is a funny game. You play club rugby (in Brisbane) one week and the next week you get to play for your country here.
“It’s a big honour, and especially because 12 years ago I was watching just down the road (in Richmond) with mum and dad.”
McCabe has not officially been ruled out but is regarded highly unlikely.
dc-nz
Guest
BenBris, thanks for the info and intel. Yes, crazy selections, because coming into the Lions series, here we have Robbie making it up as he go alongs. He is all bluster. Mind you, the mighty AB's have to call Stephen Donald when he was white-baiting by a river to draft him into the RWC Final.....
dc-nz
Guest
Ho ho Jus, give me some of your crack. The AB's squad is being rejuvenated with youngsters. We lie in wait to demolish who ever you support at RWC 2015....bwahahaaaaa...
IronAwe
Guest
I think I recall Greg Martin mentioning that both Henry Speight and Kuirdrani being eligible for the wallabies next year, but I might be wrong.
jeznez
Roar Guru
He played Aussie 7s so definitely eligible. In fact he is in eligible for anyone else.
BenBris
Guest
About time this was brought up. Deans selects Taps after publicly saying his form was down because of cooper. Then he makes a few breaks in the Lions v Reds game courtesy of some fine passing by cooper and presto he is in the side. Same for Morahan, benched all year and makes a break in the first minute of the reds v lions game on the back of an amazing cut out pass from cooper. Subsequently he scores a great solo try and presto he is in the side. Mogg has been the form winger all comp yet had to wait to be selected until now. This selection policy is weird.
Defier Pariah
Guest
Lomu was born and raised in NZ and Taps in Australia. They are not from other countries.
DR
Guest
Haha. Some old myth rolled out. Of the 22 in the World Cup final 4 players were of Polynesian descent all of whom were born and raised here. Of that 4, 3 were Samoan. Know your facts before spouting rubbish.
Ajax
Guest
I was going to congratulate you one your "only thing that was accurate was the full stop at the end.." comment.. but this one was pretty good too. .. keep them comming. Big Taps fan.. he played great against the Lions a few weeks ago.. and to be honest, they had a stronger midfield than the one that played last week (sorry Warren).. I suspected he might be fatigued / sore etc after a long last season and short break.. but he looks to have come good again. Who knows with Dingo eh? I used to be a fan till he named the first squad.. and the more I think about it the more bemused I get.. Barnes, Horne.. McCabe.. even Beale.. they have hardly played at all this year. Beale I dont mind so much given he is a class act.. but the other guys.. well there were more deserving candidates IMO who should have been picked anyway.. Taps being one. No one has commented on Sai Faingaa as reserve hooker? IF Moore goes down we are in serious trouble, you all know that right?
Pete
Guest
Taps has been out of form and good on him for saying what we are all thinking... Deans' personal opinion of players has been getting in the way of the right selections. Very brave to say that tho, lets see if he plays on sat. He can play either 12 or 13 and has a great left boot. Would be a good link to the wingers. I also like drew mitchell there, both have had average form but IMO step up for the big games. I think the wallabies will be stronger without mccabe and barnes starting.. I would also swap the starting positions of the forwards. Start with simmons and gill then bring on kimlin and hooper... (btw should definately select kimlin)
Amateur Hour
Guest
If AAC is not fit then Kuridrani should be brought into the starting XV to play outside of CLL and with Tomane, who is Digby's likely replacement. Why? Because the have combinations from the Brumbies. Why will it not happen? Probably because he is not an ARU contracted player and also because some bright spark will say that he's not in the squad. Who cares!?! The Lions have been flying people in from the UK as injury cover, surely we can get a bloke on a bus to Melbourne from Canberra. And as far as the ARU thing goes, it should not even be a consideration. The team should be picked on form. This assumes Kuridrani is eligible to play for Aus. Anyone? I sure hope he is.
AdamS
Roar Guru
Hey! I''m from Noble Park.
AdamS
Roar Guru
Very brave boy.
Thomas
Guest
Taps had a fine EOTYT last year and played quite well in his few tests. I'd love to see him take the field on the weekend.
Justin2
Guest
No one moves to Noble Park High to study I can assure you... I believe he was brought up in Melbourne just like CL, DI and BT among others.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Good to see you still call a spade a spade, Taps...or in this case, Deans a blockhead! Of course Quade was responsible for your form slump. He was responsible for the Wallabies loss last Saturday as well, the current political crisis of the Labor Party and the injuries inflicted by the Lions on the under prepared Wallaby team. He has a significant case to answer has our Quade, so don't go supporting the lad when clearly Deans knows all. If only the ARU had the same intestinal fortitude as Cricket Australia!
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Are you here just to make dumb comments? The only intelligent thing in any of your posts is the full stop at the end. And even that's stretching the point.
Warwick Todd
Guest
It seems incredible that AAC would be 100% ready for Saturday. Bringing Cummins into 13 when there is a classy specialist 13 like Kuridrani beggars belief. Perhaps he is not eligible? Playing a tried and tested combination like CL and Kuri just might work..........?
Warwick Todd
Guest
Normally when they slither into Centerlink to sign up for the dole.
atlas
Guest
same old same old, do you post this on every thread you pollute? get back with some facts top back up your whining
atlas
Guest
Waratahs profile would differ John [Ulugia] was born across the ditch, in Auckland, but moved to Victoria to study at Noble Park High School. He started his Super Rugby career in 2006 for the Brumbies.