Wallabies 2024
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LeCheese
John Thornett (49)
I don't think anyone's suggesting Tupou's fitness is of an acceptable standard - including the man himself. It is, however, somewhat understandable that a bloke of his size, position, and frequent use as an impact player is taking a while to get his match fitness back after a significant leg injury.
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
Go compare him against other tighthead props.
This international season average minutes
Tupou: 50'
Malherbe: 49'
Atonio: 48'
Lomax: 48'
Tomthumb
Desmond Connor (43)
Tyrel Lomax doesn't struggle to play 35 minutes
It's bigger than Tupou. I don't think our players in general are fit enough, because they aren't trained hard enough. That why our players always seem to improve when they go overseas
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
That can't be right...
In the four tests Tupou has played in this year he's been subbed off at:
35, 47, 40, and 40 mins.
Tomthumb
Desmond Connor (43)
The math aint mathing with this one
Tomthumb
Desmond Connor (43)
All while having a high work rate and locking down a scrum
Another world class player produced by Australia....
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I’m not sure where you’re sourcing that from, but it’s not right…
For starters, Tupou has only played four tests this year and has definitely not played the second half in most of them.
New Zealand haven’t played twelve tests this year either.
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
Yeah alright I’ll stop using all.rugby, I’ve been burnt before
Wilson
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Squad announced:
www.rugby.com.au
McReight, Paisami back as Wallabies squad locked in for Bledisloe Cup series
Joe Schmidt has confirmed a relatively settled squad as the Wallabies prepare for the Bledisloe Cup series against the All Blacks.
www.rugby.com.au
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Thoughts on 12. Ikiatu 13. Sua'ali'i?
I think Ikitau is a bit underrated as a ball player and 12 is a glaring weakness atm. Adding Sua'ali'i into the centres would help deal with our size limitations. Maybe have Petaia on one wing when fit (if ever) and suddenly we have a bit of power in the backline again.
I think Ikitau is a bit underrated as a ball player and 12 is a glaring weakness atm. Adding Sua'ali'i into the centres would help deal with our size limitations. Maybe have Petaia on one wing when fit (if ever) and suddenly we have a bit of power in the backline again.
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
Other way around I reckon i.e. 12. Sua'ali'i 13. Ikitau.
liquor box
Peter Sullivan (51)
Maybe the coaches at the Rebels and Wallabies dont know how to motivate him?
I have no idea where to look up minutes per Super Rugby game while he was at the Reds but prior to his injuries I would guess he was averaging 70 minutes and played some 80 minute games. The bench THP hardly got on the field for a couple of seasons.
Who knows, maybe his is lazy and fell out with Thorn because he actually worked him hard?
Strewthcobber
Simon Poidevin (60)
TT played more than twenty 70+min games in 2020 and 2021, including at least two 90minute extra time games, include the SRAu final. But that was when he was 25
It does sound like this "flogging" is what the Rebels and Wallabby S&C guys are blaming for the last few years of his career.
I do think you have a choice with him, you either have high impact, and lower minutes, or lower impact and higher minutes. The days of high impact and high minutes for tupou seem to be done. It was an amazing (probably unprecedented) performance when he could do it.
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Tomikin
David Codey (61)
Yeah what's the deal there, I know Tupou had some serious injuries, then a rough year where he was unfit, but his time at the Red's he was regularly playing 80 mins and going great guns in Super. I'd suspect he will get better in Wallaby camps and have a great season next year with the Tahs.
Or maybe not
There was a line from one of the Tah's trainers "you can have the best program set out, but you can't stop them from driving through KFC or stopping at the pub on the way home"