“Everything went right off the field. I just wasn’t able to put it together on the field. It was frustrating. Hopefully, next season I’ll learn from it and perform better.”
Tupou was disappointed to not be able to stay in Australia, where he has lived since signing for the Reds ten years ago after becoming a schoolboy sensation in New Zealand.
Taniela Tupou shakes hands with Tadgh Furlong of the British and Irish LionsCredit: AP
The tighthead prop said that he was grateful for the support he has received from Rugby Australia and understood their position.
“As much as I wanted to stay in Australia, Rugby Australia is going to do what they’re going to do, I’m at peace with it,” Tupou said.
“I understand what they’re doing. It’s like if I’m paying you to work for me and you’re not working for me, why am I keeping you?
“And that’s exactly what happened to me last year and this year, I wasn’t performing.
“They (other props) all performed to their level of expectation. It’s only fair that they (RA) look for someone else who can do the job because at the moment, I can’t do it. At the end of the day, it’s business. Sometimes you’ve just got to look out for your family and that’s what I’m doing.
“But I appreciate it. They’ve done a lot for me since I started here, what they’re doing is what’s best for them.”
Loading
Tupou had a difficult night against the Lions, conceding four scrum penalties. The prop said he was keen to play a part in the Test series, but also understood if Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt went in another direction.
“I hope so. I know what Taniela can do, the challenge is can I get out there and do it for Australia,” Tupou said.
“I’m not in the team at the moment so I’m not sure what the goal is for the next few weeks, if I’m in, I’m in. If I’m not, I’ll be on the side and supporting the boys.”
Follow all the action of the British and Irish Lions tour with news and analysis from Australia’s best rugby writers. Sign up here to receive special Rolling Maul editions of our Sport newsletter.
All matches of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia are live & on demand on Stan Sport, with Wallabies Tests in 4K. All Test matches live and free on Channel 9 & 9Now.
“Everything went right off the field. I just wasn’t able to put it together on the field. It was frustrating. Hopefully, next season I’ll learn from it and perform better.”
Tupou was disappointed to not be able to stay in Australia, where he has lived since signing for the Reds ten years ago after becoming a schoolboy sensation in New Zealand.
Taniela Tupou shakes hands with Tadgh Furlong of the British and Irish LionsCredit: AP
The tighthead prop said that he was grateful for the support he has received from Rugby Australia and understood their position.
“As much as I wanted to stay in Australia, Rugby Australia is going to do what they’re going to do, I’m at peace with it,” Tupou said.
“I understand what they’re doing. It’s like if I’m paying you to work for me and you’re not working for me, why am I keeping you?
“And that’s exactly what happened to me last year and this year, I wasn’t performing.
“They (other props) all performed to their level of expectation. It’s only fair that they (RA) look for someone else who can do the job because at the moment, I can’t do it. At the end of the day, it’s business. Sometimes you’ve just got to look out for your family and that’s what I’m doing.
“But I appreciate it. They’ve done a lot for me since I started here, what they’re doing is what’s best for them.”
Loading
Tupou had a difficult night against the Lions, conceding four scrum penalties. The prop said he was keen to play a part in the Test series, but also understood if Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt went in another direction.
“I hope so. I know what Taniela can do, the challenge is can I get out there and do it for Australia,” Tupou said.
“I’m not in the team at the moment so I’m not sure what the goal is for the next few weeks, if I’m in, I’m in. If I’m not, I’ll be on the side and supporting the boys.”
Follow all the action of the British and Irish Lions tour with news and analysis from Australia’s best rugby writers. Sign up here to receive special Rolling Maul editions of our Sport newsletter.
All matches of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia are live & on demand on Stan Sport, with Wallabies Tests in 4K. All Test matches live and free on Channel 9 & 9Now.
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution
The Us Media 2025
