Taniela Tupou is never far from the action, or the camera, and the Reds superstar continued that form with one of the more eventful games of Super Rugby tonight.
The 135kg powerhouse prop scored Queensland’s first try of the season before being yellow carded for what Nine and Stan Sport commentator Drew Mitchell called a “cynical” play with the Rebels hot on attack at Suncorp Stadium.
Tupou, one of the most popular players in world rugby, then suffered the ignominy of being handed a rather overmatched plastic chair to serve his 10 minutes in the sinbin.
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“They did succeed in finding him the smallest chair at Suncorp Stadium to sit on,” host Nick McArdle said at halftime, before the Reds went on to record a scratchy 23-5 win over the Rebels.
Tupou’s five pointer also raised $500 for the ‘Tries for Tonga’ initiative to help rebuild his birth country following last month’s devastating tsunami.
Rugby Australia has teamed up with Nine and Stan Sport to donate $500 per try to the Red Cross Pacific Tsunami Appeal.
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New Zealand Rugby is doing the same during the first 10 rounds of Super Rugby Pacific.
“That was great to see,” Reds five-eighth James O’Connor said at halftime.
“We need to get him more ball in the second half so he can do some damage.”
Added Nine/Stan analyst Morgan Turinui: “You can’t keep him out of the game. He was odds on to score for the Tongan recovery fund.”
Tupou’s parents still live in Tonga.
“My mum’s village is fine, but my dad’s island is gone, nothing there, but it could be worse,” Tupou, aka the ‘Tongan Thor,’ said before the season opener.
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“It’s so good to see the rugby community helping each other.
“People are willing to help my little island country.
“You grow up with no phone, no nothing, so I’m sure some kids will appreciate some clothes, toys, books.”
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