Taniela Tupou to test Joe Schmidt’s patience as Wallabies star edges closer to overseas move

Wallabies and Waratahs tighthead prop Taniela Tupou’s rumoured move to a French club is edging ever closer if a report in the Australian media is to be believed.

Tupou joined the Sydneysiders from the Melbourne Rebels on a one-year contract after his former club was axed from Super Rugby Pacific at the end of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

The 28-year-old made his debut for the Waratahs in their season opener against the Highlanders earlier this year and went on to start in five more games in Super Rugby Pacific before Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar dropped him to the bench for their recent encounters against Moana Pasifika and the Chiefs.

Earlier this week, it was reported that legendary Australia centre Tim Horan revealed that according to his sources, Tupou is close to finalising a deal with an unnamed French club.

Tupou’s agent denied that speculation while McKellar said he was not aware of it as well.

However, the burly front-row, who was on a AUS$1.2 million contract per year when he signed a two-year deal with the Rebels prior to the 2024 campaign, is reportedly not being rated so highly in Australia anymore.

According to a report in The Roar, Tupou has not received an offer in writing from Rugby Australia (RA) as his value has dropped considerably in recent seasons and with the speculation over a possible move abroad, the Waratahs are already looking a possible replacements.

Tupou burst onto the scene in 2016 with the Reds and was renowned as a devastating ball carrier while his scrummaging was also solid.

Joined the Waratahs after Rebels’ axing

He continued in that vein at the Rebels last year but was forced to move to the Waratahs after RA axed the Melbourne-based outfit from Super Rugby Pacific.

He has not been able to replicate his impressive running game since joining the Waratahs and after playing off the bench in those matches against Moana and the Chiefs, the Sydney-based side revealed that Tupou, Rob Leota – who has also been linked with a move to French club Bayonne – and Angus Bell have been rested for Saturday’s clash with the Fijian Drua in Lautoka as part of the national rotation policy for the Wallabies.

It is believed that Top 14 outfit Pau are looking for a tighthead prop who is non-JIFF – joueurs issus des filières de formation, otherwise known as academy-trained players – which brings Tupou into the equation.

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A move to an overseas-based club is likely to test Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt’s patience as he prefers to select players who are based in Australia.

Rugby Australia has no official policy on players who have signed to play overseas beyond this year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign being unavailable for Test selection.

However, Schmidt decided to ‘uninvite’ Waratahs back-row Langi Gleeson to a three-day training camp earlier this year after it was revealed that he had signed a two-year contract with Top 14 side Montpellier.

McKellar said he wasn’t surprised Tupou was still attracting interest despite not being at his best since joining the Waratahs.

Expects offers for Tupou from France

“He’s a big, tighthead prop – he’s going to attract interest from the French,” McKellar told reporters after last weekend’s triumph over the Chiefs in Sydney.

McKellar also revealed that he has spoken to Tupou about what is expected of him at the Waratahs.

“He knows what I want,” McKellar said.

“It’s about being a tighthead prop. He knows what I want and I won’t delve into detail around those conversations.

“His set-piece development’s good. He’s in good shape, a strong boy. He’s worked hard, got some feedback after the Brumbies trial, and took that on board and has really got after it.

“His attitude has been superb since he walked in the door. He’s fit and got himself in good shape. Certain things just aren’t clicking.”

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