Taniela Tupou (rugby union)

Taniela Tupou
Tupou with Queensland Country in the 2017 National Rugby Championship
Born (1996-05-10) 10 May 1996
Tofoa, Tongatapu, Tonga
Height184 cm (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Weight148 kg (23 st 4 lb)[1]
SchoolSacred Heart College, Auckland
Rugby union career
Position Prop
Current team Racing 92
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–2017 Queensland Country 21 (41)
2015–2023 Reds 87 (120)
2024 Rebels 14 (5)
2025 Waratahs 13 (5)
2026– Racing 92 12 (25)
Correct as of 11 August 2026
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017– Australia 74 (50)
2023 Australia A 1 (0)
2025 First Nations & Pasifika XV 1 (0)
Correct as of 15 August 2026

Taniela Tupou (born 10 May 1996), nicknamed "Nella"[2][3] and the "Tongan Thor",[4][5] is a professional rugby union player who currently plays as a prop for Top 14 club Racing 92. Born in Tonga, Tupou represents Australia at international level.

Early life and junior career

Tupou was born in 1996 in Tongatapu, Tonga's main island.[6]

Tupou became known as a schoolboy rugby player. While playing for Auckland's Sacred Heart College First XV in 2014, he became an internet sensation for his three tries against Kelston Boys High School, earning him the nickname "Tongan Thor".[7]

On 22 June 2014, he was named in the Pacific Barbarians squad, captained by All Black legend Justin Marshall, to play Tonga during the 2014 mid-year rugby union internationals. Tonga won the match 36–14 at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland.

The following month Tupou was given a deadline to sign a loyalty agreement to be eligible for the New Zealand Schoolboys team. However, he declined the offer.[8] Despite interest from rugby clubs in France and England as well as New Zealand Super Rugby franchises Chiefs and Blues,[9] Tupou's desire to play for the Wallabies lured him to Australia where his brother, Criff Tupou, resided.[10]

Michael Cheika, head coach of the New South Wales Waratahs commented that he had an eye on Tupou well before he emerged on television with his three-try effort,[11] but on 12 September 2014 Tupou was officially named in the Queensland Reds squad for the 2015 season.[12]

Career

Reds

Tupou played his first game for the Brothers Old Boys club in 2015, in a trial match alongside his 25-year-old brother Criff Tupou.[13] After completing the full 2015 season in Queensland Premier Rugby with Brothers, he joined Queensland Country to play in the National Rugby Championship.[14]

After playing for Queensland U20s in 2016,[15] he made his debut for the Reds in 2016.[16] Tupou toured as a development player in the Australian national squad for their 2016 Spring Tour.[17]

During the 2016 Super Rugby season, Tupou made his Reds debut on 1 July against their Rod Macqueen Cup rivals, the Brumbies.[18] His first campaign was limited to three appearances, all from the bench, but he began to establish himself as an increasingly important member of the squad the following year.[19] In 2017, Tupou featured in 14 matches for the Reds,[19] starting four of them.[20] He also enjoyed an outstanding NRC campaign with Queensland Country, helping the side secure the championship while making nine appearances and scoring four tries.[21] He quickly became one of Australia's most promising front-rowers.[22]

By 2019, Tupou had established himself as one of the country's premier props, prompting him to extend his contract with both the Reds and Rugby Australia (RA) through 2023.[23] The following season saw him play a key role in the Reds' run to the Super Rugby AU final, where they ultimately fell to the Brumbies.[24] In 2021, the two sides met again in the decider, but this time the Reds prevailed, securing their first Super Rugby title since 2011.[25]

Rebels

Tupou's career was interrupted in 2023 when a ruptured Achilles tendon ruled him out for the entire Super Rugby season.[26] Despite the setback, his next move had already been confirmed: in February, it was announced that he would join the Melbourne Rebels for the 2024 season.[27] Tupou spent a single season with the Rebels playing 14 matches and scoring one try[19] as the team made their maiden finals appearance.[28] The Rebels ultimately lost in the quarter-finals to the Hurricanes.[29] The Rebels were later axed from the competition entirely due to severe financial difficulties.

Waratahs

With the Rebels franchise's demise leaving him without a team, Tupou considered a move to Europe but ultimately opted to remain in Australia, signing a one-season contract with the Waratahs, joining several Wallabies teammates at the club.[30][31] At the start of the season Tupou was consistently the Waratahs' first choice tight-head prop.[19] Toward the middle of the season he became a finisher, being used as a substitute in five of the Waratahs' matches between rounds eight and fourteen.[19] He played a total 13 games, scoring two tries.[19] Ultimately it was a poor season for the Waratahs: they finished bottom of the ladder for the first time in their professional history.[32]

Racing 92

Following his season with the Waratahs, Tupou made the move to France, signing with Racing 92 of the Top 14.[33] He joined the Paris-based club after the 2025 Autumn Internationals and made an immediate impact on his debut against Montauban, scoring twice after entering the match in the 45th minute.[34] Remarkably, he repeated the feat just two rounds later against Lyon.[35] He scored another try three rounds later to finish the season with five tries to his name from 12 matches.[19]

International career

Tupou was first called into the Wallabies squad in October 2016 by head coach Michael Cheika for Australia's 2016 Spring Tour.[36] Although he was not yet eligible to represent Australia at international level, his inclusion in the training squad was intended to familiarise him with the demands and expectations of international rugby.[36]

He became eligible for selection the following year and made his Test debut for Australia on 25 November 2017, coming off the bench against Scotland at Murrayfield Stadium.[37][38]

By 2019, Tupou had established himself as the Wallabies' leading understudy to veteran tighthead prop Sekope Kepu, earning recognition for his impact and consistency when introduced from the bench.[39] In August of that year, he was selected in Australia's squad for the Rugby World Cup in Japan.[40] He featured in three matches during the tournament, all as a replacement,[19] including the quarter-final defeat to England.[41]

Following the World Cup and Kepu's retirement from international rugby, Tupou assumed a more prominent role in the Wallabies' front row,[42] sharing the tighthead position with Allan Alaalatoa.[43]

In June 2023, Tupou was selected by Eddie Jones for the shortened 2023 Rugby Championship.[44] He was subsequently named in Australia's 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.[45] Tupou started the Wallabies' opening pool match against Georgia[19] but was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament after sustaining a hamstring injury.[46]

He continued to feature regularly for Australia thereafter, representing the Wallabies in the 2024 and 2025 Rugby Championships as well as a number of Test matches.[19] He was also part of the Australian side that recorded its only victory of the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour.[47]

Tupou was selected in the Wallabies squad for their inaugural 2026 Nations Championship Tests in July.[48] He played in the opening two matches, and was recalled for Australia's two-Test series against Japan the following month.[19] On 15 August 2026, in a Test match against Japan in the Australia–Japan Test Series, Tupou scored two tries. Tupou became the first Wallaby prop to score twice in a Test match in 95 years.[49]

Career statistics

Club

As of 17 August 2026.[19][50]
Statistics by club, season and competition
Club Season League
DivisionAppsTriesPoints
Queensland Country 2015 National Rugby Championship 5315
2016[a] 716[a]
Total 12421
Reds 2016 Super Rugby 315
Queensland Country 2017 National Rugby Championship 9420
Reds 2017 Super Rugby 14315
2018 15420
2019 15420
2020 7315
2020 Super Rugby AU 1015
2021 9525
2021 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman 500
2022 Super Rugby Pacific 9325
2023 —
Total 8423115
Rebels 2024 Super Rugby Pacific 1415
Waratahs 2025 1315
Racing 92 2025–26 Top 14 12525
Career total 14739195

International

As of 17 August 2026.[19][50]
Statistics by team and year
Team Year Statistic
AppsTriesPoints
Australia 2017 100
2018 10210
2019 800
2020 615
2021 13210
2022 1015
2023 400
2024 815
2025 1000
2026 4315
Total 741050

International tries

List of international tries scored by Taniela Tupou[19][50]
No. Opponent Location Competition Date Result Ref.
1  Ireland Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne 2018 Ireland tour of Australia 16 June 2018 21–26 [52]
2  Italy Stadio Euganeo, Padua 2018 Autumn Internationals 17 November 2018 26–7 [53]
3  New Zealand Lang Park, Brisbane 2020 Tri Nations Series 7 November 2020 24–22 [54]
4  France Lang Park, Brisbane 2021 France tour of Australia 17 July 2021 33–30 [55]
5  Japan Showa Denko Dome Oita, Ōita 2021 Autumn Internationals 23 October 2021 32–23 [56]
6  England Lang Park, Brisbane 2022 England tour of Australia 9 July 2022 17–25 [57]
7  Wales Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney 2024 Wales tour of Australia 6 July 2024 25–16 [58]
8  Japan Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashiōsaka 2026 Australia–Japan Test Series 8 August 2026 35–32 [59]
9  Japan North Queensland Stadium, Townsville 15 August 2026 56–17 [60]
10

Awards and honours

Queensland Reds

Queensland Country

Individual

Notes

  1. 1 2 In the 2016 season, the National Rugby Championship trialled a law in which the value of a try was worth six points instead of the usual five.[51]

References

  1. 1 2 "Taniela Tupou | Wallabies Rugby". Wallabies. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  2. ↑ Woods, Melissa (5 July 2025). "Tupou needs to tame Lions to earn Wallabies recall". Australian Associated Press – via Rugby.com.au.
  3. ↑ Worthington, Sam (12 June 2025). "'Freak of nature' Taniela Tupou backed to conquer crippling anxiety and tackle British and Irish Lions". Nine.com.au. Nine Entertainment.
  4. ↑ "'At peace': Tongan Thor ready if it's au revoir to Australia". Australian Associated Press. 21 July 2025 – via Rugby.com.au.
  5. ↑ Hathaway, Adam (5 November 2021). "Who is Taniela Tupou: Ten things you should know about 'Tongan Thor'". Rugby World. Future plc.
  6. ↑ "Taniela Tupou | Player Profile | NSW Rugby". nsw.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union.
  7. ↑ "Video: Watch Sacred Heart College student Daniel Tupou score a devastating hat-trick". Fox Sports Australia. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. ↑ "'Tongan Thor' Taniela Tupou set to snub New Zealand and defect to Australia". The Courier-Mail. News Corp Australia. 8 September 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  9. ↑ Marc Hinton (20 May 2014). "Tongan teen Taniela Tupou on the Blues' radar". Stuff. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  10. ↑ "Teenage rugby superstar Taniela Tupou, the Tongan Thor, snubs All Blacks to defect to Australia". FoxSports. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  11. ↑ "'Tongan Thor' Taniela Tupou set to snub New Zealand and defect to Australia". Fox Sports. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  12. ↑ "'Tongan Thor' Taniela Tupou joins St.George Queensland Reds in 2015". reds.rugby. Queensland Rugby Union. 12 September 2014. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  13. ↑ "Queensland Reds prodigy Taniela Tupou, better known as Tongan Thor, makes debut for Brothers club". Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. 28 February 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  14. ↑ "NRC Preview: Five Rookies to watch in 2015". Green and Gold Rugby. 18 August 2015. Archived from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  15. ↑ "Queensland Under-20s team named for inaugural Super U20s Championship clash against NSW". reds.rugby. Queensland Rugby Union. 25 February 2016. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  16. ↑ "For Taniela Tupou, the opportunity to be coached by Wallabies legend Toutai Kefu is a dream come true". Rugby.com.au. 26 August 2016. Archived from the original on 25 November 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  17. ↑ "'Tongan Thor' Taniela Tupou selected for Wallabies European tour". Stuff. Stuff Ltd. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  18. ↑ "'Tongan Thor' Taniela Tupou set for Queensland Reds debut off the bench". Stuff. Stuff Ltd. 29 June 2016. Archived from the original on 28 December 2017.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Taniela Tupou: Stats – All Rugby". all.rugby. All Rugby.
  20. ↑ Phillips, Sam (8 February 2017). "Apprenticeship over for Tongan Thor". Rugby.com.au.
  21. ↑ Phillips, Sam (5 November 2017). "Tupou terrorises Drua in big QLD Country win". Rugby.com.au.
  22. ↑ Phillips, Sam (7 November 2017). "NRC 2017 Team of the Year". Rugby.com.au.
  23. ↑ Payten, Iain (12 August 2019). "Four to the Thor: How Taniela Tupou went from viral sensation to long-term Wallaby". Rugby.com.au.
  24. ↑ "Brumbies beat Queensland Reds in Super Rugby AU final in Canberra". ABC News. 19 September 2020.
  25. ↑ "Super Rugby AU: Reds beat Brumbies 19-16 at Lang Park in dramatic final". ABC News. 8 May 2021.
  26. ↑ Williamson, Nathan (26 July 2023). "How Taniela Tupou nearly walked away from Rugby during brutal rehab process". Rugby.com.au.
  27. ↑ Doran, Christy (21 February 2023). "Confirmed: Tupou signs multi-million dollar deal to stay with Rugby Australia – but he's leaving the Reds for rivals". The Roar.
  28. ↑ "Super Rugby Pacific 2024 finals fixtures confirmed". Rugby.com.au. 7 June 2024. It is the first time the Rebels have made the finals in the history of the club.
  29. ↑ "Axed Melbourne Rebels bow out of Super Rugby Pacific with 47–20 quarterfinal loss to Hurricanes". ABC News. 8 June 2024.
  30. ↑ "Waratahs land Tupou to bolster front-row stocks". ESPN. 2 August 2024.
  31. ↑ "Taniela Tupou suddenly loving life at the NSW Waratahs". Rugby.com.au. 6 February 2025 – via Australian Associated Press.
  32. ↑ Decent, Tom (25 May 2024). "Worst season ever? Waratahs go from bad to worse in loss to Moana Pasifika". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment.
  33. ↑ Bissonnet, Vincent (28 June 2025). "Exclu Midol. Transferts / Top 14 – Taniela Tupou (Australie) a dit oui au Racing 92" [Transfers / Top 14 – Taniela Tupou (Australia) said yes to Racing 92]. Rugbyrama (in French).
  34. ↑ Brossard, Clément (27 December 2025). "Les prémices destructrices de Taniela Tupou, le nouveau pilier droit du Racing 92" [The destructive beginnings of Taniela Tupou, the new tighthead prop for Racing 92]. RMC Sport (in French).
  35. ↑ Beurdeley, Arnaud (24 January 2026). "Taniela Tupou, Vinaya Habosi et Romain Taofifenua en force, Martin Méliande n'a pas suffi : les notes de Racing 92 – Lyon" [Taniela Tupou, Vinaya Habosi and Romain Taofifenua in force, Martin Méliande was not enough: the scores of Racing 92 – Lyon]. Rugbyrama.
  36. 1 2 Newman, Beth (26 October 2016). "Tongan Thor one step closer to Wallabies". Rugby.com.au.
  37. ↑ "Wallabies to unleash powerhouse Taniela Tupou on Scotland". The Guardian. 24 November 2017.
  38. ↑ "Tearful Tupou's joy after Wallabies debut". Special Broadcasting Service. 26 November 2017.
  39. ↑ Skippers, David (6 August 2019). "Sekope Kepu impressed by Taniela Tupou's progress". Planet Rugby.
  40. ↑ "Experienced Wallabies squad named for Japan". rugbyworldcup.com. World Rugby. 23 August 2019.
  41. ↑ "England beat Australia 40–16 to make Rugby World Cup semi-finals". BBC Sport. 19 October 2019.
  42. ↑ Bishop, Nicholas (4 August 2020). "Any which way you can: Australia's intriguing choice at tighthead prop". The Roar.
  43. ↑ Helmers, Caden (9 July 2021). "Wallabies find 'perfect' prop balance between Allan Alaalatoa and Taniela Tupou". The Canberra Times. Australian Community Media.
  44. ↑ "Hooper and Slipper to co-captain as Jones names 34-man TRC squad". wallabies.rugby. Rugby Australia. 25 June 2023.
  45. ↑ "Australia name squad for Rugby World Cup 2023". World Rugby. 10 August 2023.
  46. ↑ Worthington, Sam (15 September 2023). "What devastating Taniela Tupou injury means for Wallabies hopes at Rugby World Cup in France". Nine.com.au.
  47. ↑ Pentony, Luke Pentony; Doyle, Michael; Smale, Simon (2 August 2025). "Wallabies edge British and Irish Lions 22–12 in dramatic third Test at the Sydney Olympic stadium". ABC News. Sydney Olympic Stadium, Sydney.
  48. ↑ "Wallabies squad confirmed for July Nations Championship Tests". wallabies.rugby. Rugby Australia. 19 June 2026.
  49. ↑ Payten, Iain (16 August 2026). "Two-try Tupou set to stay for Pumas, Boks duty after making history in Townsville". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  50. 1 2 3 "Player Statistics". It's Rugby.
  51. ↑ Newman, Beth (29 June 2016). "NRC: Tries more valuable in new NRC". Rugby.com.au.
  52. ↑ Trenchard, Oliver (16 June 2018). "Australia 21–26 Ireland: rugby union international – as it happened". The Guardian.
  53. ↑ "Italy 7–26 Australia: Wallabies prepare for England with first autumn win". BBC Sport. 17 November 2018.
  54. ↑ "Australia defeats New Zealand 24–22 in Bledisloe Cup Test as Wallabies post opening Tri Nations win". ABC News. 7 November 2020.
  55. ↑ Howcroft, Jonathan (17 July 2021). "Australia v France: Wallabies win thriller to claim series – as it happened". The Guardian.
  56. ↑ "Wallabies edge Japan 32–23 in Oita to kick off four-Test spring tour". ABC News. 23 October 2021.
  57. ↑ Flood, George (9 July 2022). "Australia 17–25 England: Owen Farrell kicks six penalties to end losing streak and tee up Sydney decider". The Standard.
  58. ↑ Griffiths, Gareth (6 July 2024). "Australia begin Schmidt era with victory against Wales". BBC Sport.
  59. ↑ Williamson, Nathan (8 August 2026). "As It Happened: Wallabies hold on for tight win over Japan". Rugby.com.au.
  60. ↑ Howcroft, Jonathan (15 August 2026). "Australia 56–17 Japan: rugby union international – as it happened". The Guardian.
  61. ↑ "Reds secure stunning last-gasp victory over Brumbies to clinch Super Rugby AU crown". super.rugby. SANZAAR. 8 May 2021.
  62. ↑ Bennett, Connor (11 November 2017). "NRC Grand Final: Canberra Vikings vs Queensland Country live scores, blog". The Roar.
  63. 1 2 "Tupou wins Super Rugby AU player gong". Rugby.com.au. 14 December 2020.
  64. ↑ "Taniela Tupou reduced to tears after winning Rugby Australia awards". Fox Sports Australia. 21 October 2018.
  65. 1 2 Tucker, Jim (18 July 2021). "Taniela Tupou bags back-to-back Pilecki Medals". reds.rugby. Queensland Rugby Union.
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