Lengthy-time teammate Fraser McReight hopes Taniela Tupou thrives on his French sojourn after the enigmatic prop had a Wallabies actuality examine.
Tupou on Monday was launched from the Wallabies camp to as a substitute be part of the NSW Waratahs forward of the Tremendous Rugby membership’s Saturday conflict with the British & Irish Lions.
It was a revealing play by coach Joe Schmidt earlier than Australia’s Check in opposition to Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday and forward of Tupou’s membership transfer to France subsequent season.
The NSW Waratahs will profit from the 58-Check prop’s presence in Sydney, the second Lions fixture of the week following their conflict with the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.
And, even when he has slid down the Wallabies’ pecking order, it can give Tupou an opportunity to shine earlier than Schmidt names his squad to face the Lions in a three-Check sequence beginning in Brisbane on July 19.
“It’s great for the Tahs, good for Australian rugby and the Lions are going to have a handful dealing with him,” McReight said.
“I can’t wait to watch him. He’s a great player, he’s coming together, honing what he needs to do.
“I have no doubt he’ll come back firing and ready to go.”
McReight played alongside Tupou at the Reds, where he emerged as a teen sensation and became one of the world’s most explosive and talented props.
Rugby Australia fought arduous to maintain him on the books, with Tupou ultimately signing with the Melbourne Rebels then transferring to the Waratahs for this season after the Victorian membership folded.
Tupou is reportedly set to signal with Racing 92, the place outspoken president Jacky Lorenzetti has by no means shied away from criticism of his big-money recruits.
However McReight hopes Tupou, 29, will profit from the expertise even when the international posting leaves him on the Check outer.
“It’s a troublesome one, proper? You’ve gotten quite a lot of younger tightheads coming by means of and he’s been top-of-the-line tightheads on the planet,” he stated.
“It’s difficult, however hopefully he goes over and positive aspects some new experiences and perspective.
“It leaves the door open for some new expertise to return by means of and hopefully Nella comes again a greater individual, higher participant.”
Tupou isn’t the one one holding out hope for a Wallabies call-up, with latest Super Rugby Pacific champion James O’Connor noticed coaching at Ballymore in Brisbane on Monday.
The veteran playmaker loved a one-season cameo with the Crusaders, along with his bench kind sufficient to place him again into the Wallabies dialog earlier than he was missed by Schmidt within the wider squad.
O’Connor, 35 subsequent week, will be part of the Leicester Tigers subsequent season.
