Taniela Tupou has cheekily challenged Rugby Australia to “show me the money” as the rampaging Queensland Reds prop switches gears and begins to ponder his future.
The ultra-talented Wallabies prop nicknamed ‘Tongan Thor’ admits he’s yet to flick into 100 per cent rugby mode less than a fortnight out from the Super Rugby Pacific season.
But he has reason to be distracted, the Tongan product forced to wait almost a week until a 2am phone call from a random number confirmed his mother and family had survived the country’s devastating volcano and tsunami disaster.
Until then he’d been distant at training and desperately concerned, given all he’d seen were photos on social media showing widespread damage across the country.
“I was awake, every night just hoping for a phone call or something and finally got it, so I went to sleep in peace,” he said.
“My mum’s village is fine, but my dad’s island is gone, nothing there, but it could be worse.”
Tupou has arranged a shipping container full of clothing, toys and basics to be sent home.
A Reds charity game raising money for UNICEF and a $500 donation to the Red Cross Pacific Tsunami Appeal for every tried scored in the first 10 Super Rugby Pacific rounds will also help the cause.
“I was going to put it up on Instagram, ‘don’t touch me, let me score, for my people’,” Tupou grinned.
“It’s so good to see the rugby community helping each other … people are willing to help my little island country.
“You grow up with no phone, no nothing, so I’m sure some kids will appreciate some clothes, toys, books.”
Tupou hasn’t been home since 2019 and hopes to host his mother, who hasn’t seen him play live since 2018, in Brisbane soon to give them both “something to look forward to”.
“After a long season like last year I’d (usually) go home, forget about everything and come back fresh, ready to go,” he said.
“So I’m hoping to do that before the World Cup next year, that’ll be good for me mentally.”
What happens after that is on Tupou’s mind though, with his four-year contract due to expire after the showpiece event.
Tupou grew up in Tonga but moved to New Zealand in 2011, emerging as a potential All Blacks star before heading instead to Ballymore as an 18-year-old.
He said former Wallaby and current Tongan coach Toutai Kefu had been in his ear about returning home, an unlikely prospect given new eligibility laws require a three-year absence from Test football before the player is available for their country of birth.
“I said ‘Keps I’m Australian, I’m not Tongan anymore, leave me alone’, but after next year I’m off contract and I’m not sure … gold jersey or red (Tongan) jersey,” Tupou joked.
A lucrative stint overseas is more likely, Rugby Australia aware they’ll be competing with the riches of Europe for a man of Tupou’s talents.
“Show me the money – I’m joking … I’m not joking though – c’mon (Dave) Rennie,” Tupou smirked in a cheeky message for his Wallabies coach about another long-term deal.
“I’ve loved it, am so grateful for the Reds, they really trust me and I think I gave my all every year.
“This year, next year I’ll do everything I can to help this team win and we’ll see how we go after that.”
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
NZR want 5 teams because the entire point of Super Rugby, in their opinion, is to develop All Blacks. Keeping the best players playing with and against each other is the priority.
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
They like him outside the city bubble. He’s the only QRU employee who ever seems to take an interest.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
What if they're not paid a pittance?
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Ha. He really doesn't make metres in the tight, does he. Taniela, I mean. Reckon Hooper beats him there as well.
Patrick
Guest
How can he run out wide more when Hooper his taken that spot? Maybe if you want more runs fronlm Tupou Rennie should instruct Hooper to get back to where he belongs at the breakdown.
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
I think what it will lead to is the export of decent players as is happening now, but on a grander scale. If the players cant make money in nz, then it will be to wherever the game pays. UK, Europe, the US... Why would the player stay in Gisborne or whangerai working for a pittance when they could make money elsewhere? This then puts a strain further down the line
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
Spot on. Those are excellent solutions. It would be good for depth in NZ and Aus and it will be good for the islands to get competitive matches and more time together as a team. Both teams need to help out the pacific islands who are starved for home matches. I get the travel and the money etc. But they would be great fixtures to watch too
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
Even if that is true, he is strong enough that if the Referees started penalising boring in for all offenders he would still be the most dominant THP.
tom
Guest
Was lucky enough to be envolved before professional took over. npc was fantastic even midweek games got good support. Super rugby has faded as its gone on. We went to Eden Park to watch test match next weekend played against Andy Dalton ab captain in a club game. Japan has finished this but they are plying their trade so good luck. As a local club player think it was better.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Tooly Sorry but he is one of the worst, probably the worst defender at Wallaby level both at numbers of tackles and missed tackles. His scrums are generally strong and his runs (whilst they can be great out wide) are too infrequent.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
No-one in NZ thought it would be. What was the other choice? Let Super League steal their players? But the NZ competition does offer a pathway for Aust rugby should any other option not exist especially if NZ Can sort out it's PE issues!
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
you could make him half for qld. You said he had a good pass
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
thanks mrs mcreight.
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
and technically, they are going broke slowly but surely. Professionalism has not been kind to nz.
cinque
Roar Rookie
Another in the Ella production line. Crushed under my Taniela - Ella.
BBBT
Roar Rookie
Hooper earns his wage. To suggest otherwise is silly. He was arguably the best player last year and has been the one of if not the best since the last RWC. For the record I was against his contract at the time, and I’m very happy to say I got that wrong.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Got to play the whistle Tooly. When he gets pinged he adjusts, exactly as he should. His opponents give away many, many more penalties at scrum time compared to him. Seems the referees are trying to get his opponents to change.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
If every single referee consistently misses something, it’s possibly not there
Markus
Roar Rookie
Even if it were true, the referees have not seen it that way and that is what really matters. Tupou knows the golden rule of play the whistle.
Hooter
Roar Rookie
Not legally IMO. Turns in and bores on the opposing hooker.