The Queensland Reds have re-signed prop Taniela Tupou for the next two Super Rugby seasons.
It ensures the Reds retain the services of one of the most exciting talents in Australian rugby until at least the end of 2020.
The 21-year-old, nicknamed the ‘Tongan Thor’, has enjoyed a terrific start to the new season and earned glowing praise from new coach Brad Thorn after last weekend’s win over the Brumbies for his role in Queensland’s set-piece domination.
Tupou made his Super Rugby debut in 2016 and last year earned his first Test cap for the Wallabies.
“Ballymore is my second home and the Reds are like my second family. This is where I started my professional career and I really want to contribute to the team,” Tupou said.
“We’re learning a lot from Brad. He knows how to win. We’re a young team who are working hard for each other, it feels like we are heading in the right direction and I want to be a part of that.”
Thorn said Tupou had come a long way from the teenager who become a viral hit on YouTube thanks to clips of him in high-school rugby bulldozing under-sized opponents.
“He might still be known for his big runs, but he’s worked incredibly hard to develop the rest of his game and I’d like to think he’s known as a tighthead prop and a scrummager now too,” Thorn said.
Meanwhile, the Reds have further bolstered their front-row ranks by signing South African-born Ruan Smith until 2020.
The twin brother of JP Smith, the 28-year-old has played Super Rugby for the Western Force and Brumbies and was contracted to the Sunwolves for this year but was released on compassionate grounds.
MARTO
Guest
Mark my words, we will have Ned " Raggity ann " Hanigan over Timani / Timu and the flabby unfit midget Tommy " Gun " Robertson in the squad over Taniela for the June test series ? You know it makes Chuckles Cheika sense... You know it will happen....
JP
Guest
R2D23 As long as you call the wife beater Julian and not call him the " BUS " , Deal ?
Mitch (in Valencia)
Guest
Great comment Jez. Looks to be working hard and not resting on his YouTube laurels....
ols
Roar Pro
I think this might actually be the real "Marto" ???
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
AND if the Reds get a new coach for next season he can always play at Brothers :) :) :)
jeznez
Roar Guru
I'm worried R2P2, who are you agreeing with? I care less about where someone is born and more about their passion and desire for the jersey. This bloke came here straight out of school because he wanted to play for the Wallabies. Sure part of that motivation was the earning potential compared to playing for Tonga. But his desire to try and make it to the Wallabies vs the All Blacks stemmed from him having family here and the Wallabies having players of Tongan descent that he wanted to emulate. If the guy was getting picked just on potential and not doing the work then I'd be frustrated (as I was with Skelton) that is an issue regardless of where someone is from and just related to their work ethic. Tupou is doing the work, he looks in great shape and his biggest work on, his scrummaging, is coming on in leaps and bounds. Am proud that a guy, who is putting in the effort that he is, wants to make his life in and represent our country. It isn't like he came here as the finished article, he came here at 18.
jeznez
Roar Guru
especially since the nickname appears once in the headline and once in the article, while his name is used four times in the article - oh no - stop using the moniker!
P2R2
Roar Rookie
..well said and I fully agree...
Paul D
Guest
"about a stupid a moniker I have ever hear…just call him by his name for heavens sake…" Sure, ok P2R2.....
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Plenty of people who are born outside Australia come to consider themselves to be Australian, and stay here their entire lives. I myself am one of those and don’t really bother myself with ignorance from people who consider themselves less committed to Australia than me, just because they were born here. But I guess if people prefer Aussie born players in their team, Aussie born players are going to have to step up and get better at rugby. It isn’t the overseas players problem that in average, players who were born here are failing to compete.
P2R2
Roar Rookie
Where are all those AUSSIE-BORN players....? why would one want to stay in a State or a Country that doesn't even consider them...just a joke...! As for the TONGAN-THOR....about a stupid a moniker I have ever hear...just call him by his name for heavens sake...
John R
Guest
Hah - oh geeze man. You shoulda just let that one through to the keeper, sheer desperation to make a point now. How many caps has Ryan got from Cheika?
MARTO
Guest
Chuckles still wont pick Taniela ... He will make Robertson play Tighthead and have Sekope " over the hill " Kepu and Paddy " I eat grass " Ryan inked onto his Wallaby team sheet before Tongan Thor..You know it..Everyone knows it...
John R
Roar Guru
Hey Marto, there's actually two prop positions in rugby, the loosehead (they wear the number 1 on their back) and the tighthead (they wear the number 3). Taniela plays at tighthead, and Tom Robertson plays at loosehead, therefore there's no conflict of interest, so you can relax now and please enjoy your weekend.
MARTO
Guest
Chuckles Cheika will go with Robertson over Thor anyday of the week... Robertson has him covered in every aspect.. height, weight, speed, Run meteres, dominant tackles, minutes played per game, tackle busts, age, test experience.. Tommy is the future, not Thor. Thor will have to go overseas to play after Chuckles bypasses him for the vastly superior Tommy Gun Robertson..
John R
Roar Guru
As Giteau said 'if he can keep challenging himself to get better, this player could be anything'
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Can we retain him though long term. It seems it's homesickness, not money that keeps our good props here. If RA aren't going to ply him with money, they need to find him a wife that refuses to move overseas! ;)
jeznez
Roar Guru
Fantastic news on Tupou. Scrummaging really well this year - is shaping as a player that could be really key for the Wallabies based on how well he is going at such a young age. Wish the Reds were playing the Crusaders this year - that is the litmus test at Super level.