‘Tongan Thor’ Taniela Tupou Named In Queensland Reds Super Rugby Squad

New Zealand schoolboy sensation Taniela Tupou has been confirmed in the Queensland Reds Super Rugby squad.

Dubbed the “Tongan Thor”, the giant prop burst to fame two years ago for his running and try-scoring deeds with the Sacred Heart College First XV in Auckland. He snubbed the New Zealand scene to gain a professional contract in Australia with a desire to play for the Wallabies.

The 135kg Tupou has lived up to his hype in Queensland, starring for the Brothers club and turning heads for Queensland Country in Australia’s National Rugby Championship where he scored three tries in six matches this year. That has resulted in him being included in the Reds squad for the expanded 2016 Super Rugby championship.

He is one of eight new faces in the 37-man roster named this week. The Reds began pre-season training this week in preparation for the 2016 Super Rugby season, which kicks off Saturday, February 27 against the Waratahs in Sydney.

Reds squad:

Forwards: Ben Daley, Sef Fa’agase, Saia Fainga’a, Greg Holmes, Pettowa Paraka, Andrew Ready, James Slipper, Sam Talakai, Taniela Tupou, Kane Douglas, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Simmons, Lukhan Tui, Curtis Browning, Lolo Fakaosilea, Liam Gill, Michael Gunn, Adam Korczyk, Jake Schatz, Hendrik Tui.

Backs: Nick Frisby, Scott Gale, Sam Greene, Jake McIntyre, James Tuttle, Anthony Fainga’a, Karmichael Hunt, Samu Kerevi, Duncan Paia’aua, Lagi Setu, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Ayumu Goromaru, Chris Kuridrani, Junior Laloifi, Campbell Magnay, Eto Nabuli, Izaia Perese, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi.