Wallabies legend drops bombshell regarding Taniela Tupou’s future
Waalbies and Waratahs front-row Taniela Tupou and ex-Australia centre Tim Horan.
Waratahs and Wallabies tighthead prop Taniela Tupou has been linked with a shock move away from the Sydney-based Super Rugby Pacific outfit.
The 28-year-old joined the Waratahs on a one-year contract from the Melbourne Rebels when they were axed from Super Rugby Pacific at the end of the 2024 season.
Tupou made a positive start to his Waratahs career as he started in all of their first six Super Rugby Pacific matches before the Sydneysiders’ head coach Dan McKellar dropped him to the replacements bench for their two recent games against Moana Pasifika and the Chiefs.
Speculation over Tupou’s future
That has led to speculation about the Wallabies star’s future and ahead of their 24-21 victory over the Chiefs at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney, legendary Australia centre Tim Horan revealed that according to his sources, Tupou is close to finalising a deal with a French club.
Tupou’s agent denied that speculation while Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar said he was not aware of it as well.
“He’s a big, tighthead prop – he’s going to attract interest from the French,” McKellar told The Sydney Morning Herald.
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Tupou has worked on his conditioning which has led to him being more active in his loose play, but ahead of the Waratahs’ clash with Moana McKellar hinted that the man known as the Tongan Thor can still improve his scrummaging.
‘He knows what I want’
“It’s about being a tighthead prop,” McKellar said. “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.”
Despite his improved fitness, things have not gone according to plan for Tupou at the Waratahs although McKellar was impressed by the behemoth prop’s attitude during his stint with his team.
“His attitude has been superb since he walked in the door,” McKellar said.
“He’s fit and got himself in good shape. Certain things just aren’t clicking.”
