Taniela Tupou has signed a two-year deal to remain in Australia however is quitting the Queensland Reds to hitch the Melbourne Rebels from 2024.
Rugby Australia has granted Tupou’s demand to “present me the cash” with a multi-million greenback deal.
Tupou could be very unlikely to play for the Reds once more after struggling an Achilles damage on the Spring Tour in opposition to Eire. The Wallabies are hoping he’s again in time for the Rugby Championship in a bid to show health for the World Cup.
Tupou is off contract on the finish of 2023 and was thought-about a flight danger. He has spoken brazenly about desirous to play in Japan and final 12 months challenged RA to pay what was essential to make him keep.
“Present me the cash – I’m joking … I’m not joking although – c’mon (Dave) Rennie,” Tupou mentioned final 12 months.
“I’ve cherished it, am so grateful for the Reds, they actually belief me and I feel I gave my all yearly.
“This 12 months, subsequent 12 months I’ll do the whole lot I can to assist this staff win and we’ll see how we go after that.”
There have been fears that Tupou’s take care of Rugby Australia had fallen via on Monday night time when the governing physique received chilly ft.
Some at RA, together with CEO Andy Marinos, had been anxious about whether or not Tupou’s multi-million greenback deal was good enterprise given the large prop’s Achilles damage.
However, understanding the significance of touchdown an enormous fish after letting one other slip via the web in Samu Kerevi final week, negotiations moved shortly on Tuesday after some RA executives caught wind of the opportunity of shedding the headline act to Japan.
On Tuesday night time, Tupou gave the go-ahead to appoint the Rebels as his most well-liked franchise to hitch.
He’ll hyperlink up together with his first coach in Tremendous Rugby, Nick Stiles, who’s the Rebels’ common supervisor.
Tupou additionally has quite a few shut associates on the Rebels, together with former Reds hooker Alex Mafi.
His transfer to the Rebels is the most important signature of the Tremendous Rugby franchise’s historical past.
Whereas the Rebels have signed poster boys previously like James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale, in addition to former England playmaker Danny Cipriani, Tupou is headline materials and a tight-head prop who makes the sport horny and might win matches off his personal bat.
His defection to the Rebels comes on the similar time Tupou has been doing promotional work for the Reds forward of their season opener in opposition to the Hurricanes in Townsville.
Whereas many north of the Tweed border will probably be perplexed at how the Reds have let Tupou slip away, his departure was a very long time coming.
Tupou has been more and more stressed on the Reds for greater than a 12 months, however his departure may also help reinvigorate his profession.
That’s to not lay the blame on the ft of the Reds, with Tupou needing to carry himself accountable for his profession stalling.
However together with his future sorted, Australian rugby will probably be determined that Tupou can drive straight and discover a renewed sense of motivation to meet his unimaginable potential.
