In words to send shivers down the spines of Australian rugby fans, Taniela Tupou has declared he is “ready for a change” when his contract ends after next year’s Rugby World Cup.
The Wallabies star is one of world rugby’s most sought after players, destructive on the field and a marketing dream off it.
Securing the dynamic prop’s long-term signature is a top priority for Rugby Australia and in an interview with Wide World of Sports Tupou made it clear that he is ready to spread his wings.
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The ray of hope for Australia, however, is that Tupou is also open to the idea of a flexible contract with a sabbatical similar to Michael Hooper who enjoyed a season in Japan last year.
“They’ve approached me wanting me to stay here for a few more years,” Tupou told Wide World of Sports.
“I’ve got this year and next year so I’m in no rush to sign a deal. Now that I have a family I’ll do what’s best for myself and my family, if that means staying or going somewhere else.”
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Tupou, 25, and his partner are expecting their first child on July 9 – the same day the Wallabies will play England in the second of three Tests at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
The ‘Tongan Thor’ said he “100 per cent” wanted to play overseas at some stage during his career after moving to Australia from New Zealand in 2014 and playing only for the Queensland Reds since 2016.
“I think I’m ready for a change. I’ve been in the same place for nearly nine years now so I’m keen to see and challenge myself somewhere else now. We’ll see what happens.”
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Tupou’s eyes lit up when asked about the prospect of following in the flexible contract footsteps of Wallabies captain Hooper.
“Yeah it’d be cool to not smash myself in Super Rugby and go somewhere like Japan. Just enjoy a bowl of noodles and just play somewhere different,” he quipped.
Tupou – who will start from the Reds bench against the Rebels in round nine – admitted he was not at his best form and there were “a few things I need to sort out.”
“I’m still playing alright but I think I can be a lot better.”
Overall, however, he takes great pride in the fact he has completed the journey from teenage internet sensation to world class front-rower.
“Yeah, looking back I was known for my running skills and just running the ball and stuff,” Tupou said.
“As I got to this level, certain things are more important than just running the ball. That’s my job as a prop, to scrum and I’ve worked hard on that in the last few years. If I look back, things have changed. I’m not that flashy… I mean every now and then I try to pull something but it’s much more important to me now to scrum.”
The new RA laws mean that the Wallabies could still pick Tupou from an overseas-based club but they will be desperate to keep him around as the face of the game for the next five years or more.
In Angus Bell, Tupou has the ideal propping running mate for the future although he joked the NSW loosehead wasn’t quite at his level yet.
“No, not even close, he’s still a young pup,” Tupou quipped of the mobile 21-year-old.
“Na, he’s got good skills, running the ball, scrums well and he’s only going to get better. I’m looking forward to seeing where he goes.
“We’re pretty strong, pretty tight as a group. Alan (Alaalatoa), Slips (James Slipper), just good guys and genuinely good footballers.
“You’ve got (Greg) Holmes, Belly, Pone (Fa’amausili) – we’ve got lots of big guys that can actually challenge a few people.
“We just need to work hard, be consistent and pick the right team for each opponent.
“We’ve got a good team and we just need to show it.”
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