The Wallabies went down 28-26 to France in Melbourne on Tuesday to set up a winner takes all series decider at Suncorp Stadium this coming Saturday.
While the Wallabies lost the game thanks to some much-needed composure from the French, who won for the first time down under in 31-years, it was a moment from Tongan Thor that gave fans something to talk about.
Trailing 16-6 and with time almost up in the first half, the Wallabies had stable ball just meters out, with Tupou hovering over it. With another big drive perhaps expected, James Slipper and Jake Gordon peeled out wide, giving the big man a chance to show his skills.
“Did that just happen?!” said commentator Sean Maloney as the giant prop turned provider for his number nine out wide.
Media and fans on twitter enjoyed it too.
Taniela Tupou at scrumhalf and with the cut out finds his No.9 to score.
The Tongan Thor can ball #AUSvsFRA
— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) July 13, 2021
Taniela Tupou rules. Don't pigeon-hole front-rowers.#AUSvFRA
— Matt Findlay﮷ (@MRFindlay24) July 13, 2021
This is prime #FrontRowMasterRace stuff from Taniela Tupou.
Dave Rennie has always been a big fan of the 'All 9s' principle in attack, so he'll delighted with Tupou's pass to scrumhalf Jake Gordon for the try here.#AUSvFRA pic.twitter.com/IXC7yCGRMw
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) July 13, 2021
Taniela Tupou with a *bullet* pass hahaha more like a floater there 😂 put him in at fly
— kaushik 🇫🇯🤙 (@kau_dutt) July 13, 2021
Taniela Tupou to play halfback next week. #AUSvFRA
— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) July 13, 2021
On a related note, in the British and Irish Lions game against the Sharks, Irish front rower Tadhg Furlong showed that he is also adept at nine with this lovely spin pass out wide to Dan Biggar.
No scrum-half? No problem.
Tadhg Furlong has you covered. pic.twitter.com/l37ZvofJux
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) July 12, 2021
The Wallabies will now head back to Suncorp Stadium on July 17 for the third and final Test as they look to retain Trophée des Bicentenaires.
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