'I'm proud': $1.2m man Tupou stars to help Rebels claim second win overseas since 2019, Uelese's best match

Taniela Tupou became the most expensive player in Australian rugby when he signed a $1.2 million deal to join the Rebels ahead of the 2024 season.

On Friday evening, the giant tight-head prop took the first step in repaying their faith as he helped drive the Rebels to back-to-back wins, as the embattled Super Rugby franchise overcame Moana Pasifika 29-23 in Hamilton.

The Rebels had let slip a 19-10 lead to trail by a point at the 60-minute mark, but tries to Lachie Anderson and Glen Vaihu saw Kevin Foote’s side seal a 29-23 win.

Andrew Kellaway scored the opening try against Moana Pasifika. (Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)

The victory was built off the back of the Rebels’ work up front.

Maligned Test hooker Jordan Uelese had his best performance in years, as he scrummed straight and his lineout throw hit the mark.

Then, after Sam Talakai put in a strong 45-minute shift, Tupou came off the bench to help demolish Moana Pasifika’s scrum.

Three moments in the final 20 minutes ensured the Rebels went back-to-back.

The first came when lock Allan Craig was shown a yellow card as the Rebels mauled to the line in the 64th minute. Two minutes later, Anderson burrowed his way to the line.

Then, after the Rebels defended 15 phases in their half, a terrible offload from Danny Toala to his replacement prop Sateki Latu allowed the visitors a scrum inside their 22 metre line.

Moana Pasifika never stood a chance.

Taniela Tupou was one of the stars behind the Rebels’ gritty win over Moana Pasifika. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)

Tupou blew away Latu to give the Rebels a penalty and moments later the visitors had another one from the lineout maul.

Moments later, as flanker Jacob Norris was shown a yellow card for a high shot, Vaihu scored to ensure the Rebels would return from across the ditch with their second straight bonus point victory.

Tupou said he was “proud” of the team.

“Obviously, Moana Pasifika are big boys and the set-piece was one our main work-ons this week,” he said.

“Again, credit to the forwards. It wasn’t just myself, but everyone in the forwards contributed at the scrum and in the lineout. It was a team effort.

Asked how the team morale was as the Rebels prepare for a legal fight with Rugby Australia, Tupou said winning helped.

“It’s always good when you’re coming off back-to-back wins,” he said. “With our history, we haven’t really had back-to-back wins. With what’s going on at the Rebels, it’s good for us and good for the club and hopefully we can keep it going.”

Returning Test forward Lukhan Salakaia-Loti was once again superb in the win, while Vaiolini Ekuasi put in a strong hour-long shift and scored the Rebels’ third try. The backrower’s performance was especially needed given the early loss of Rob Leota to injury.

The Rebels made the perfect start, as Andrew Kellaway, who was shifted from fullback to the wing following Matt Proctor’s injury, scored out wide after some neat footwork. It came off the back of a strong run from Leota.

The visitors had their second soon after when Uelese sucked in two defenders after peeling off a maul and got away a suspiciously flat offload to Ryan Louwrens. Carter Gordon converted from out wide to give the Rebels a 12-0 lead.

William Havili narrowed the score by slotting over a simple penalty.

But Ekuasi crashed over to see the Rebels race out to a 19-3 lead at the 30-minute mark.

After Moana Pasifika managed to slowly work their way back into the match, the home side got one back through Craig.

Despite some strong work over the ball from Filipo Daugunu in the midfield, the home side scored in the 49th minute through powerhouse signing and World Cup winner Julian Savea.

The All Blacks great’s try was his 61st, taking him beyond Israel Folau as Super Rugby’s greatest try scorer.

Havili’s penalty then put the home side in the front for the first time.

But that’s when the wheels fell off, as Tupou went to work alongside strong scrummager Uelese.

With a functioning lineout, the Rebels capitalised on the opportunities to come away from New Zealand with five points and temporarily move to the top of the Super Rugby standings.