Rugby Transfers: Taniela Tupou decides short-term future ahead of imminent move, Wallabies forward heads to France
Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou and Rebels teammate Rob Leota.
In a huge boost to Rugby Australia, tighthead prop Taniela Tupou has opted to remain Down Under while one of his Melbourne Rebels teammates heads abroad.
Australian Super Rugby Pacific clubs have been scrambling to secure the services of the Melbourne Rebels stars following the club’s financial collapse and the Waratahs look to have benefitted hugely.
Taniela Tupou joins Waratahs
After months of speculation and contract talks, Tupou has reportedly signed a deal to link up with the Waratahs in a huge boost for new head coach Dan McKellar.
The Reds were eager to lure the prop back to Brisbane but the 28-year-old Wallaby has instead to join the Waratahs’ rebuild and will be joined by ex-Rebels captain Rob Leota.
According to a report by ROAR Sports, the Waratahs will announce Tupou’s arrival in the coming days meaning that McKellar will have a full Wallabies’ front-row at his disposal next season with Angus Bell and Dave Porecki on their payroll.
But the report adds that the prop may well be heading abroad after just one year at the Waratahs, with Rugby Australia tightening the purse strings and unlikely to match his current salary of $ 1 million contract beyond 2025.
Leota’s potential arrival would also be a boost for the ‘Tahs following the departures of Ned Hanigan and Lachie Swinton to France. It was understood that Leota preferred a move to the Reds but Queensland opted to renew new Wallabies skipper Liam Wright’s contract.
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Wallaby heads to France
Meanwhile, Joe Schmidt’s options at hooker going forward look to have been cut by one after recently adding one as Rebels front-rower Jordan Uelese has signed a two-year deal with Top 14 outfit Montpellier.
He heads north with Brandon Paenga-Amosa heading in the opposite direction joining the Western Force.
Uelese, who represented the Wallabies at the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups, leaves Australia after seven years at the Rebels.
Meanwhile, Western Force have lured another France-based star, Nick Champion de Crespigny, from French Top 14 club Castres.
The 28-year-old has spent the past three years with Castres, making 56 appearances in both the Top 14 and European Rugby Champions Cup.
