'Tongan Thor' ready for Crusaders war

An exciting 30-minute trial for Taniela Tupou has been ticked by the Reds even though he is likely to run headlong into a World Cup-winning All Black on Saturday night.

There’s no easing into Super Rugby, whether it is a regular season game or a trial, because Joe Moody is the formidable Crusaders prop lining up as the first big test for the “Tongan Thor’’.

Both props will come off the bench in the Ballymore trial (7.30pm) so how often they tango is a question mark but there will be some serious second-half scrummaging.

Young tighthead giant Tupou, 19, may have an 18kg advantage but 112kg All Black Moody is 27 and has buckled rivals in thousands more scrums.

“Taniela has been on a steep learning curve since playing schoolboys in 2014 but he wouldn’t be picked if we didn’t think he was ready,’ Reds coach Richard Graham said.

“You can learn so much from training before the next development step is to pack against a Super Rugby front row in a game.’’

While being technically equipped to scrum as a raw 19-year-old is vital, it is Tupou’s ability to blast holes as a ball-runner which is his x-factor.

“I’ve seen some big collisions at training and that sheer physical explosiveness is something we want to see,” Graham said.

Wallabies tighthead Greg Holmes is being rested from this trial so Tupou’s blooding is a taste for the future.

“The start of pre-season I thought I was no chance to play because I still had so much to learn but I’ve worked really hard. I can’t wait,” Tupou said.

“The coaches have told me just to do my job at set piece, worry about that first, and then just carry the ball hard when I run.”

Graham has offered some big chances to impress. Smashing out some forceful metres will aid flanker Lolo Fakaosilea’s cause immeasurably.

Powerful winger Eto Nabuli can start a cult following with a rampaging run or two and prop Ben Daley just needs to stay healthy now he is out of the injury wasteland.

“In four weeks back at training, I’ve seen some pretty amazing stuff,” fill-in captain Rob Simmons said.

“We definitely have some x-factor but now we have to harness that and put it into a game plan and build our partnerships.

“Thor is dangerous for sure. I played two-handed touch against him at training, put my whole body into it and he rocked me.’’

     

Author: 
Fox Sports