Taniela Tupou (rugby union)

Taniela Tupou (or Daniel Tupou), is a Tongan rugby union player who grew up in Tonga, but now plays for Australian Super Rugby franchise, the Queensland Reds.

Tupou, became widely known as a schoolboy rugby player in early May 2014 while playing for Auckland’s Sacred Heart College First XV, when he became an internet sensation for his 3 tries against Kelston Boys High School.^[1] In August 2014, Taniela was given a deadline by the New Zealand Rugby Union to sign a loyalty agreement with the NZRU and therefore be eligible for its Schoolboys team. However, he did not sign the agreement, despite NZRU officials making special dispensation for Tupou to be named in the squad after initially being blocked because he only carried a Tongan passport.^[2]

It was announced that five French rugby clubs, one English club and New Zealand Super Rugby franchises Chiefs and Blues had tried to sign him, but Tupou's desire to play for the Wallabies lured him to Australia where his brother lives. At the time, only the Melbourne Rebels had filled their Super Rugby squad for the 2015 Super Rugby season, while the remaining four franchises had yet to make their squads official. It was believed that Tupou would sign with the New South Wales Waratahs, following head coach Michael Cheika commenting that he had said he had had an eye on Tupou well before he emerged on television with his three-try effort. But on the 12 September 2014, Tupou was officially named in the Queensland Reds squad for the 2015 season.^[3]

On 22 June 2014, Tupou was named in the Pacific Barbarians squad, captained by All Black legend Justin Marshall, to play Tonga during the 2014 mid-year rugby union internationals. Tonga won the match 36–14 at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland.

On 28 February 2015, he made his début for the Brothers Old Boys club. He played in the trial match alongside his 25-year-old brother Criff Tupou.^[4]

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