Taniela Tupou’s decision to snub the All Blacks has attracted derision in New Zealand.
The Reds is set to sign barnstorming teenage sensation Taniela ‘Tongan Thor’ Tupou.
The Reds are understood to be close to finalising a deal for the New Zealand-based 18-year-old who has been chased by four countries and two rival Australian franchises.
If the signing comes off, it will be a massive boost for Australian rugby and cap an impressive fortnight for the Reds, who announced two weeks ago that they have recruited James O’Connor and Karmichael Hunt for next year.
Tupou revealed earlier this week that he would reject offers from the NZRU to defect to Australia, where his older brother lives and plans to guide his career.
The NZRU held last-minute meetings with Tupou in a bid to change his mind but he has not wavered.
Fox Sports
New Zealand officials are disappointed by his decision, believing their track record of developing world-class front rowers is far superior to that of Australia’s.
Never before has a star Kiwi schoolboy turned his back on the chance to play for the All Blacks in favour of Australia when being pursued by the NZRU.
Tupou burst on to the global scene when his schoolboy match was televised in New Zealand and he scored three spectacular tries in the first 20 minutes.
The 135kg prop runs like a winger and also has ball skills, which has led to offers from France and England.
Tongan-born Tupou has not played any representative rugby, which still makes him eligible for any nation.
Tupou’s family was keen on the move to Australia, and it appears the Reds have trumped other Super Rugby franchises for his signature.
Tupou has grown up supporting the Wallabies, although that remains a long-term goal.
If the schoolboy joins Queensland, he would do so on a club contract and will probably be eased through their extended playing squad system from 2016.
Farken farkers.
But at least he’ll be playing his rugby on the right side of the Ditch.
@ BrumbiesBoy:
Relax, your mob was never even in the running.
Brumbies already spent all their money, only the other 4 Aussie franchises bid for him.
Maybe they are still paying out Jake the rest of his salary, that’s why they are broke?
@ nortierd:
No, the first report I saw here said only the Force weren’t interested only because they’d already filled their…er…ahem…er…quotas (hate that word)!
@ BrumbiesBoy:
Yep, but subsequent reports, from specifically the Canberra papers reported that the Brumbies weren’t in the running.
I didn’t post those
@ nortierd:
From the Canberra Times earlier this week….
The rugby world is salivating about the future of a 135 kilogram teenage prop known as the “Tongan Thor”, but the ACT Brumbies are banking on a Queanbeyan removalist to be their star of the future.
The Brumbies signed young front-rower Les Makin to an extended player squad deal on Wednesday and ruled out the prospect of trying to lure Taniela Tupou, or “Tongan Thor”, to Canberra next year.
Tupou has pledged his commitment to Australian rugby after turning down offers to stay in New Zealand.
But the Brumbies have opted to invest in Queanbeyan Whites and Canberra Vikings prop Makin, who will put his work as a removalist on hold when his Super Rugby contract begins in November.
“Les is powerful, a dogged defender and puts big shots on,” said Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham.
“He’s explosive and he’s been in our system now for a long time so we’re excited to see what he can do. He gets his chance to step up now and we’re confident he can rise to that Super Rugby level.”
Makin spends his days moving office furniture, and occasionally grand pianos, to supplement his rugby ambitions.
The 22-year-old St Edmund’s College graduate is known to have the biggest pants size at the Brumbies and Makin has promised to throw his 112 kilogram frame into action if he gets a Super Rugby chance next year.
Makin will continue working as a removalist for the next two months, as well as playing in the National Rugby Championships for Canberra, as he waits for his first professional rugby contract to start.
“I’ll take it a bit easy [with the lifting at work], but I’ve still got to do my job,” Makin said.
“I’ve been big pretty much my whole life, I don’t know what my pants size is though. I’m pretty stoked, this is a dream come true after working my way up through the pathways.”
Makin will be part of a young prop rotation at the Brumbies next year, which will be led by Wallabies duo Ben Alexander and Scott Sio.
Allan Alaalatoa has played just two games while twins Jean-Pierre and Ruan Smith share just 38 Super Rugby games between them.
The Brumbies hope former Wallaby Dan Palmer, who has been recruited as a scrum coach, can help fast-track their development.
Makin is viewed as a versatile prop capable of playing either loosehead or tighthead.
“Les has huge potential … he’s pretty powerful and it’s exciting that he’s getting an opportunity,” said Brumbies forwards coach Dan McKellar.
“He’s not your typical front-rower, he’s explosive and a dynamic ball carrier. That’s his point of difference.
“Scotty Sio will take on a more senior role … we’re young in the front row but there is potential in all of them. With the NRC and hopefully next year they’ll get experience.”
Makin is the Brumbies’ first recruit to rise through the new NRC pathway.
Larkham still has three roster spots to fill for the Super Rugby season and he is searching for an outside back, an inside back and a second-rower.
But the Brumbies ruled themselves out of any bidding war for rising power sensation Tupou, by declaring he was not on their recruitment radar.
“We’re looking of a number of other players in the NRC to fill those positions we’ve got available. First and foremost we want to draw from the Canberra Vikings and Canberra before we look elsewhere.” Larkham said.
Overrated….. NZRU worried that he may turn out like Willie O…
@ nortierd:
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