'A lot to work on': scrappy Lions edge out Waratahs
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West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Tupou confirms move as Waratahs show Wallabies the way
Confirming he's played his last game in a NSW Waratahs jersey, Taniela Tupou isn't sure about his Wallabies future with the giant prop struggling to make a case for inclusion in the first Test against the British and Irish Lions. While NSW coach Dan McKellar believes he provided a blueprint for Australian success in the series opener in Brisbane on July 19, Tupou didn't have the impact he hoped for in the Waratahs' 21-10 loss to the tourists in Sydney. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt's chief demand was to see the 29-year-old tighthead be "really strong at set piece" but that was Tupou's weakness at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, giving away four penalties. Tupou at least put his hand up for some big carries, at times skittling the Lions defence as the undermanned Waratahs made their sloppy rivals work for their win. He confirmed post match that he will move to France to play for Racing 92 but hoped to again pull on the Wallabies jersey before his shift. "I hope so. I know what Taniela can do, the challenge is can I get out there and do it for Australia," said a frustrated Tupou. "I'm not in the team at the moment so I'm not sure what the goal is for the next few weeks. If I'm in, I'm in. If I'm not, I'll be on the side and supporting the boys." Tupou said he wanted to stay in Australia but understood that, after a below-par season, Rugby Australia wouldn't match the money on offer. "As much as I wanted to stay in Australia, Rugby Australia is going to do what they're going to do. I'm at peace with it," Tupou said. "I understand what they're doing. It's like if I'm paying you to work for me and you're not working for me, why am I keeping you? "And that's exactly what happened to me ... I wasn't performing." McKellar felt Tupou was under a lot of scrutiny and was unlucky with some of the scrum penalties, and believed he would still be in consideration for the Wallabies squad, which will be named next Friday. After the Western Force and Queensland both suffered heavy losses to the Lions, McKellar said the fighting Waratahs showed how to rattle their rivals. The Lions dominated possession, territory, line-breaks and visits in the opposition quarter but the Waratahs line-speed and physicality suffocated their attack, forcing them into repeat errors. "We spoke about putting them under pressure and terrorising them with our press defence because we felt they hadn't faced that in the early games," McKellar said. "They're an outstanding team, a really strong group but they've got two arms and two legs, and if we take away their time and space and if we back that up with accuracy with our physicality, then we can create turnover opportunity off the back of it and we did that."
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Tupou confirms move as Waratahs show Wallabies the way
Confirming he's played his last game in a NSW Waratahs jersey, Taniela Tupou isn't sure about his Wallabies future with the giant prop struggling to make a case for inclusion in the first Test against the British and Irish Lions. While NSW coach Dan McKellar believes he provided a blueprint for Australian success in the series opener in Brisbane on July 19, Tupou didn't have the impact he hoped for in the Waratahs' 21-10 loss to the tourists in Sydney. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt's chief demand was to see the 29-year-old tighthead be "really strong at set piece" but that was Tupou's weakness at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, giving away four penalties. Tupou at least put his hand up for some big carries, at times skittling the Lions defence as the undermanned Waratahs made their sloppy rivals work for their win. He confirmed post match that he will move to France to play for Racing 92 but hoped to again pull on the Wallabies jersey before his shift. "I hope so. I know what Taniela can do, the challenge is can I get out there and do it for Australia," said a frustrated Tupou. "I'm not in the team at the moment so I'm not sure what the goal is for the next few weeks. If I'm in, I'm in. If I'm not, I'll be on the side and supporting the boys." Tupou said he wanted to stay in Australia but understood that, after a below-par season, Rugby Australia wouldn't match the money on offer. "As much as I wanted to stay in Australia, Rugby Australia is going to do what they're going to do. I'm at peace with it," Tupou said. "I understand what they're doing. It's like if I'm paying you to work for me and you're not working for me, why am I keeping you? "And that's exactly what happened to me ... I wasn't performing." McKellar felt Tupou was under a lot of scrutiny and was unlucky with some of the scrum penalties, and believed he would still be in consideration for the Wallabies squad, which will be named next Friday. After the Western Force and Queensland both suffered heavy losses to the Lions, McKellar said the fighting Waratahs showed how to rattle their rivals. The Lions dominated possession, territory, line-breaks and visits in the opposition quarter but the Waratahs line-speed and physicality suffocated their attack, forcing them into repeat errors. "We spoke about putting them under pressure and terrorising them with our press defence because we felt they hadn't faced that in the early games," McKellar said. "They're an outstanding team, a really strong group but they've got two arms and two legs, and if we take away their time and space and if we back that up with accuracy with our physicality, then we can create turnover opportunity off the back of it and we did that."
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Wallabies LIVE: Australia take on Fiji in first Test of the year
Latest posts Latest posts 1.02pm Who have you got today? 12.53pm The Flying Fijians lining up strongly Former AFL ruckman turned rugby coach Mick Byrne is leading the Fiji team after success with the Drua and has named a very strong team in the steel city. Salesi Rayasi the former New Zealand sevens star now playing for Vannes in France gets his debut for Fiji. As ever, there is a strong Drua feel to the team, highlighting the strength of tried and tested combinations, particularly in the halves with Caleb Mutz and Simione Kuruvoli. Josua Tuisova is one of the most dangerous backs in the world and will soon be a teammate of Taniela Tupou at Racing 92. Jiuta Wainiqolo is also a star with Toulon in the Top 14. Fiji are labelled underdogs at the bookmakers, but this is an extremely strong side who will be desperate to repeat the win over the Wallabies in the 2023 World Cup. 12.52pm How the Wallabies are lining up Some interesting selection decisions here by Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt. Veteran loosehead James Slipper will start ahead of Angus Bell and Dave Porecki is back in a Wallabies jersey at hooker after a long absence. The absence of Rob Valetini has opened a slot for Waratahs player of the year Langi Gleeson who will relish the physical contest against the flying Fijiians. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Max Jorgensen are back after injury interrupted seasons with NSW, with Harry Potter getting rewarded for his outstanding form for the Force. Perennial breakdown pest Carlo Tizzano will be desperate to replace Fraser McReight and remind selectors why the number 7 Wallabies jumper isn't a foregone conclusion. Finally, Tate McDermott gets a rare start with Jake Gordon nursing an injury and his sniping will set the Fiji team on edge. 12.52pm Good afternoon to the true believers Good afternoon to all of you. The press box in Newcastle for the Wallabies first Test of the year will be some sight, after the weakened Waratahs shocked everyone with a performance for the ages against the best of Britain and Ireland last night. It kept everyone working in the wee small hours and why not? Lions coach Andy Farrell accused the home side of their own watergate, with Waratahs coach Dan McKellar denying any water cans were used in his team's preparation in their brave 10-21 defeat. Charlie Gamble was delivering beer eight years ago around Mascot and playing subbies on Camperdown Oval, he finished his night by completely outplaying 2022 World Rugby player of the year Josh Van der Flier. It was the perfect entree for today's contest, the Wallabies almost at full-strength taking on a strong Fiji side in the steel city. There is no Rob Valetini and Will Skelton who are nursing injuries that we have been told are not said to be serious enough to keep them out of the Lions series. My decorated partner in the halves and former schoolboy rugby sensation Iain Payten is in Newcastle sending us his expert thoughts. I will be manning the blog, accompanied by my father from Belfast. Here we go.
