ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Monday Nov 6, 2017

'Tongan Thor' racks up incredible stats after pulling off sensational no look pass

Just a week after representing the Barbarians against the Wallabies, Taniela ‘Tongan Thor’ Tupou played a huge role in Queensland Country defeating Fijian Drua 57-21 in Australia’s National Rugby Championship. Here is a look at his impressive contribution.

Queensland Country booked their spot in the NRC grand final due to a standout performance from tighthead Tupou, who rose to prominence in recent years due to footage of his barnstorming runs going viral when he was still at school. 

Still just 21, the man affectionately known as Tongan Thor recently added to his list of growing accolades after he picked up a Barbarians cap against his adopted country. He was the one who went over for that disallowed try from the brilliant ball up the jumper trick play last weekend.

The 130kg Tupou started against the Fijian Drua in sensational fashion, busting the line off a set piece move before throwing a no-look over the shoulder pass to number eight Caleb Timu.

He wasn’t done there though, as they worked a neat lineout move that allowed him to charge over, and then later in the game his strong carry up midfield gave his side the impetus to score a nice try down the left flank. He then scored a more traditional pushover try from a few meters out.

Post game the Man of the Match was anything but how he appears on the field, coming across completely humble and almost looking embarassed by what he had performed, playing down that no-look pass by calling it ‘a fluke’.

“RUNNING IS A BONUS”

Tupou says that he has improved in the areas he lacked in the past, particularly up front.

“At school level I used to just run the ball. I couldn’t scrum, I couldn’t do anything but at this level if you can’t scrum, you won’t get picked. As a front rower that’s what you need to do – running is a bonus but the scrum is beginning of it all. Now that I have learned how to scrum and I’ve learned how to work around the park I’m enjoying my footy,” he said.

“I have to show Thorny [coach Brad Thorn] that I can do it at the NRC level and if I can show him that I can do it at NRC level hopefully he will give me the first crack at the Reds next year. I want to be the best in the world but I know I have a long way to go and I know I have to work hard for it.”

As for the Wallabies, the Tongan born powerhouse is staying level headed.

“I’ve always wanted to wear the gold jersey so whatever it takes for me to do it, I’ll do it. I wouldn’t move here for no reason. Even if I don’t get to play this year, next year – I’m only 21 – I know I have plenty of work to do and plenty of rugby ahead of me.”

With match stats of 17 runs, 10 tackle busts, four line breaks, one try assist, 124 meters carried, and two tries, you can be sure that Tupou is set to be a prominent figure when Queensland Country take on the Canberra Vikings in next weekend’s NRC grand final.

Below is a look at some of his best bits, with full match highlights under that

Match highlights:

credit: foxsports australia

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 33 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...

  • 35 WEEKS AGO

    Jokester has field day with Chris Latham's...

  • 35 WEEKS AGO

    Eddie Jones goes off on fan in shocking new...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Heart Breaking Six Nations Ending For Italy As Scotland Score Long Range Try

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Montpellier Number Eight Zach Mercer Outlandish Attacking Skill

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Damian Penaud Pulls Off a "van der Merwe" in Outrageous French Try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland Winger James Lowe With World Class Finish In Titanic Battle With France

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Sonny-Bill Williams Gives Irish U20 Star A Shoutout For Classy Offload

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    England and Ireland fans express disappointment in grand slam refereeing decisions

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    England Fullback Shown Red For Collision With Opposite Number

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Springbok Flyhalf Back With A Bang In Huge Development For World Champions

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Shocking Scenes As Rugby Players Attacked Following Rivalry Clash In South Africa

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    A Look Back At Rugby’s Greatest Ever Film

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea Moment Of Magic In Super Rugby Aotearoa

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    'Armchair athletes' berate Arundell's seriously impressive bench press

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Worcester Warriors - The End

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Sevens magic as 'headed' try brings stadium to its feet

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Almost 35,000 have now signed petition to reverse new grassroots tackle laws

View All

Funnies

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Jonathan Sexton Fantastic Comeback Caught On Ref Mic

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Hilarious Footage Of English Players Post Leg Day Workout

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Mack Hansen leaves viewers in stitches with hilarious post-match interview mistake

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    A Look Back At Rugby’s Greatest Ever Film

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    "Talk Is Cheap" - Jamie Ritchie Responds To Dan Biggar's Pre-Match Comments

View All

Amateur

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 33 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 33 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 34 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Youth and experience combine in an effort to repeat Six Nations upset

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Wales international releases emotional statement after being offered contract that isn’t enough to feed family

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea causes outrage with ‘throat slitting’ gesture

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Smith, Marchant and Murley released from England camp to take part in 'Big Game 14'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Mack Hansen leaves viewers in stitches with hilarious post-match interview mistake

View All