On the eve of the British and Irish Lions series and two years out from the home World Cup, Taniela Tupou, arguably the biggest name in Australian rugby, is off to France.
The Roar can reveal the 29-year-old is set to make a high-profile move to the French capital. It’s understood his destination is Racing 92 – the famed Parisian club, who recently parted ways with Owen Farrell and had Siya Kolisi spend a season with them after the 2023 World Cup.
Neither lasted more than a year at the club, but new head coach Patrice Collazo, a former prop himself, will hope that Tupou bucks that trend.
Now, Rugby Australia will hope that the decision not to fight for his services doesn’t come back to bite them in the backside as the game moves closer to the most important three-year period in its history.
The “Tongan Thor” has divided the Australian rugby community in recent years.
Considered the most powerful prop veteran scrum coach Mike Cron has seen during his decades spent in the international game, Tupou has struggled with his consistency and output over the past couple of years since rupturing his Achilles against Ireland in late 2022.
Although he returned in time for the 2023 World Cup, taking down the French scrum in the lead up to the campaign and starring against Georgia in their tournament opener, a hamstring injury at training meant he didn’t play another game. The Wallabies didn’t fire another shot without him.
Since then Tupou has been up and down, playing well for the Wallabies, including playing through injury during last year’s Spring Tour, but struggling at Super Rugby level.
Experienced Wallabies tight-head prop Taniela Tupou is set to move to the French Top 14. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
It led to Tupou, a veteran of 58 Tests and two World Cup campaigns, opening up recently by saying he was at peace with himself if he didn’t feature against the British and Irish Lions next month.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, however, had other ideas, naming Tupou in his 36-man squad to take on Fiji on July 6.
“We play Fiji in two weeks. That’s going to happen very, very quickly. We’re going to try to ascertain what Taniela’s mindset is once he’s in the environment,” Schmidt told reporters in Sydney last week.
“I’ve had a good couple of conversations with Nella in the last week or so and we’re confident that he’s desperate to be there.
“He is desperate to be there, and beyond that, he’s desperate to play well.
“So that’s a good starting point.”
In a recent interview with Stan Sport’s Morgan Turinui, Tupou said he was “grateful” that Schmidt showed faith in his ability to select him.
“I thought about it, and I was at peace with it, if I was going to make it or not, I was happy either way,” Tupou said.
“But I’m grateful to be here and it’s a big month coming up, and I’m looking forward to getting out there and representing Australia again.”
Taniela Tupou has regularly impressed for the Wallabies overseas, including on last year’s Spring Tour against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
RA has long been considering what to do with Tupou.
The damaging prop was never going to receive anywhere close to the $1.2 million per-season deal he was offered two years ago by the governing body, but nor did the Wallabies want to lose him either.
That’s because at his best, Tupou is one of the best props in the world.
Now, RA will likely hope that Tupou finds his feet over the coming months and can draw upon his services from overseas, all the while not having to cover his contract.
It’s a risky play so close to the 2027 World Cup, but a gamble they have likely considered worthwhile.
Of course, it could come off, especially if Tupou finds a second wind in his career as he approaches his thirties.
But RA will also have to reflect on why the headline act hasn’t reached the heights they – and Tupou – will have wanted.
Before he departs though, the Wallabies will be desperate that Tupou can find some of his best form as they prepare to tackle the Lions in the biggest tour on Australian shores in 12 years.
The tight-head prop has received plenty of support from his front-row teammates, including Allan Alaalatoa and Angus Bell.
“I’d love to see big Nella at his best because I know that he will contribute massively to the jersey,” Alaalatoa said about his teammate last week in Sydney.
Bell added: “We know how important Taniela is for Australian rugby. If we’re going to compete and beat the Lions, Taniela will be in and around the team and squad. We know how important he is and what he can do when he’s in his career best form.”
