Tupou's bombshell move 'changes everything'

1 year ago 100

Former Wallaby Stephen Hoiles believes Taniela Tupou's bombshell move is the "biggest signing" successful the past of the Melbourne Rebels, exceeding those of Quade Cooper and Will Genia.

Tupou's defection from the Queensland Reds from 2024 was confirmed connected Friday greeting with the prop besides re-signing with Rugby Australia done to 2025.

The 26-year-old made his Wallabies debut successful 2017 successful Edinburgh against Scotland and has gone connected to correspond Australia successful 47 Tests.

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"That is the biggest signing due to the fact that of the presumption helium plays," Hoiles said connected Stan Sport's Rugby Heaven.

"You tin motion Quade, you tin motion Genia but if you person a satellite people tighthead - it changes everything. As an Australian rugby fan, to beryllium capable to support him - determination would person been 20 clubs successful Europe that would person had a cardinal bucks a twelvemonth to walk connected him. So it's a large win."

Tupou has apt played his past crippled for the Reds aft tearing his Achilles portion playing for the Wallabies against Ireland past year.

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He is hopeful of being acceptable successful clip for this year's Rugby World Cup.

"Taniela has the imaginable to beryllium the champion tighthead prop successful the satellite and it's large he's staying successful Australian rugby," Wallabies manager Eddie Jones said.

"Alongside Allan Alaalatoa, we person the accidental for a satellite people 80 minutes astatine tighthead prop and that's outstanding for the Wallabies."

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Rebels main enforcement Baden Stephenson was understandably thrilled.

"To person idiosyncratic of Taniela's calibre articulation the Melbourne Rebels is breathtaking quality for our loyal members and fans, and the wider Victorian community," Stephenson said.

"In a metropolis built connected sporting excellence, Taniela's signing enhances our efforts to turn our crippled crossed Victoria... adding specified a satellite people subordinate to our nine adjacent play volition lone fortify our programme and assistance america physique connected 2023."

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