Taniela Tupou has made it clear he wants to take a break from the Reds to play in Japan and Rugby Australia appear set to award him a rare sabbatical in a bid to keep him invested through to the 2027 World Cup on home soil.
Tupou was involved in a Rugby Australia media conference to celebrate the hosting rights of the RWC on Friday, and was non-committal on whether he would still be in the Australian frame in five years, when he would be 30 years old.
Of course he has more pressing matters to deal with than a tournament five years in the distance with clubs around the world trying to lure him away.
There are fears that Tupou, whose contract with the Reds and RA expires after next year’s World Cup, could be lost overseas on a mega deal, but RA are hopeful some leeway, such as that given to Michael Hooper and David Pocock in the past, might persuade him against signing a long-term contract elsewhere.
“I think I have to make a decision in the next few months,” Tupou said when asked about his future.
“Whether I’ll stay here in the long run with Australia or go somewhere, I’m not sure. Australia are keen to have me around for the next few years so we haven’t signed anything but hopefully there’s something.
“I’d love to have a little break from Super Rugby. If that means I’ll go to Japan or something, rest the body and come back, it’s up to my manager and Dave Rennie and all those guys to decide what’s the best deal for me.”
He said he was unsure what would be involved in a sabbatical but he expects he would come back feeling more refreshed than he does through the Super Rugby grind which he has been part of since 2014 .
But it’s clear the decision is weighing on his mind, even if he could find time for a joke.
“Who knows what I’ll do after next year; whether it’s Queensland or … Rockhampton,” he said, laughing.
The star prop is currently missing with a calf injury and says it would take a “miracle” for him to return for the finals. More likely, he’ll be getting back to fitness just before the visit of England.
Tupou was watched by Rennie as he spoke on Friday, and the Wallabies coach later expressed confidence that RA could retain his key man, confirming talks with Tupou’s agent have included discussions about a season abroad within the structure of a new contract.
“We are keen to keep Taniela. He’s keen to stay and we’ve had really positive talks with his representatives,” Rennie said.
“All those things are on the table around sabbaticals. In the end, it’s hard to compete with the money out of Japan so working in with that can make it attractive and affordable.
“He’s a helluva player with a genuine point of difference. We all love him and want him to stay so obviously we are looking to extend (his contract) beyond 2023.”
Meanwhile the Reds are in Auckland without him, trying to arrest a decline in his absence of three straight losses.
It’s a homecoming for Reds and Wallabies centre Hunter Paisami who went to school in Auckland and played with and against several of Saturday’s opponents.
It also gives the youngster a match up that could be replicated in the Bledisloe Cup later this year, with him pitted against code hopper and All Blacks aspirant Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
“Growing up watching Roger at league , he’s a freak. I know how good of a player he is and I look forward to the challenge ahead tomorrow.”
Paisami is returning from a shoulder injury. “Hopefully it works tomorrow, but it should be good to go,” he said.
var request = new XMLHttpRequest();
request.open('POST', '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php', true); request.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded;'); request.onload = function () { if (this.status >= 200 && this.status
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
He has mentioned Japan in the past as he believes it will give his body a bit of a rest. Definitely not as physical of a league and pays well too
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Yep… sign him to a 4 or 5 year RA deal with 2 years in Japan. Make sure he has a clause in his contract to be available for the wallabies.
Steve 50
Roar Rookie
He’s eligible to play for Tonga at RWC 2027 if he wants!!!
Big A
Roar Rookie
Couldn't agree more man - we don't have the money to pay for sabbaticals - we can't be paying people big money for not even playing with us - the sense of entitlement grows and the productivity plummets - another way of putting is the employee has one over the dumb employer - nonsensical logic. Let all these guys go and bring them back for the big matches - if there's no game in 10 or 15 years then so be it - most of us have enjoyed the ride since the 70's anyway
Gary Russell-Sharam
Roar Rookie
It would seem to me that here we go again. Here is a very good player that we have built into supreme status and he is lorded in the media as the best prop in Australia. And to top this off the media now say that we can't win without him. Lets all settle down a bit, Taniela is a very good prop whether he is supreme status is conjecture at this stage in his career. In my opinion he is a very good prop and will get better with age if he has the right attitude. And there in that last sentence is the nub. I question the attitude that he has, there seems to be some laziness in his attitude to playing. I know that he has been used for 80 minutes previously and has done well but it seems that as he has gotten older his attitude to playing has defused a little. Now he is talking about the grind of Super Rugby. Well give me a break everyone, the season for Super Rugby is not that long and hasn't been for ages now, they start early and finish early. Nothing like a real season of rugby. If he continues to play as a prop, (most of whom do not reach their zenith until they are well in their thirties) he will amass a considerable amount of money that will set him for life no matter where he plays. Injury being the only snare in this scenario. Most props are durable, that being the way they are built. In my opinion I would let him go and play in Europe for a season or two, and learn and earn some longevity and technical skill that might make him one of the best props we have seen. He is not the finished product at the moment. He sure is strong and a huge man but that is not all you need as a international prop. Surprisingly to many, there is a huge amount of technical skill needed to play in this position and those skills are honed over time. Taniela is still a baby in the big picture of these skills. He needs time and education to become the person we are now lording in the media as the best.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
If super rugby is a grind with its massive 14 game season. I don’t think he will like a 28-game plus European rugby in Europe season.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Tupou taking out some insurance ? He should go and make some money. Good luck to him. He is a way off being world class but he’s very important to us.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I'm pleased to see there are adults discussing these matters. Rennie acknowledges how important he is for the team and speaks of ways to ensure he gets what he needs while he still plays for Wallabies and, hopefully, for Reds.
Tony Hodges
Roar Rookie
He should definitely go to Europe for a few seasons after the WC, and come back in time for the one after.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
I'm ok if it's unpaid. But then is that a sabbatical? That's just playing elsewhere.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
DA, the Sami wrestlers would be running with their bums wobbling screaming nooooo, way! :laughing:
Double Agent
Guest
I hope they keep a close eye on him if he goes to Japan. The nation's entire wagyu herd would be decimated in no time if he slipped away!! :shocked: :laughing:
Charlie Turner
Guest
I don’t believe he should be given a paid sabatical. RA should use the funds to develop existing front rowers. The risk of injury and form drop from exposure to a lesser competion is too high. Does he feel passionate about representing Australia? He’s built a formidable International reputation and will earn serious money where he landas. Let him go and build his financial future with RA’s blessing.
Markus
Roar Rookie
Have any of them been? Despite all the brouhaha around Pocock's sabbatical, his contract amount was paying for the 2 playing years either side.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Is it a 'paid' sabbatical? Does he still receive his Wallabies top up while away for the season? Wish my employer would let me go work somewhere else for a year while still paying me.
Johnny J-Dog
Guest
Wouldn't he improve as a prop in Europe more than in Japan, which is then better for us when he returns?
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Don't pay "overs" for him.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I totally agree JD, Carter did not lose any of his skills or talent.. But it is totally different for a forward especially someone of his size, hopefully his Japanese team would not force him to lose mass but as you said about Brodie he was. Big to huge guys is something that Japanese Rugby is still coming to terms with.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Perhaps he wants to improve his game further and doesn't think that's possible under coach Goon. A season with the Kintetsu Liners and Quade and Sanchez may appeal to him.
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
Shame. Reds scrum with TT was unbeatable.