Two-try Tupou set to stay for Pumas, Boks duty after making history in Townsville

The Wallabies are set to have two-try tight-head Taniela Tupou available for the massive scrummaging challenges of Argentina and South Africa in the next seven weeks, but the big prop is due to return to Paris and miss the Bledisloe Cup series in October.

Tupou claimed a slice of history on Saturday in Townsville by claiming two tries in Australia’s 39-point win over Japan, becoming the first Wallabies prop to score twice in an international in 95 years. He joined “Wild” Bill Cerutti, who did it in 1931 against New Zealand in Auckland.

It was a history-making day in Townsville, with the starting Wallabies front row all scoring tries for only the second time (after Ewen McKenzie, Phil Kearns and Tony Daly scored against the USA in 1990) and Tupou’s replacement, Massimo De Lutiis, also on debut (and scoring) as Wallaby No.1000.

Tupou’s powerhouse performance showed the benefits of his move to Racing 92 in the French Top 14 competition this year, where the 148kg prop said he had found good form by enjoying a new culture and new environment – and by generally not understanding what the coaches were saying.

“Because I don’t speak French … I don’t go into the field with a lot of information in my head, so I think the less the more for me,” Tupou said. “So when I don’t go in there thinking too much, I play a lot better.”

The flipside of Tupou now playing in France, however, is the 30-year-old is back with the Wallabies as a “Giteau Law” pick and being selected under World Rugby’s regulation 9, which covers the mandatory release of players by clubs for Test rugby.

Negotiating with French clubs for star players has proved tricky over the years, notably with Will Skelton, who played just three games in the Rugby Championship last year, with a return to his club La Rochelle wedged in between.

Under World Rugby regulations, players must be released for six of eight weeks in the Rugby Championship. That tournament isn’t being played this year, but a separate “Southern Hemisphere” window also exists, and that allows for selection for six games, rather than weeks.

Rugby Australia has sought to manage relationships with overseas clubs in the past, rather than strictly enforce their regulation 9 rights, but RA boss Phil Waugh indicated last year he wanted to firm up Australia’s approach and start leaning towards the latter.

Asked post-game if he had a date to return to France, Tupou said: “Yes and no. Actually, I don’t know how to answer that question.

“There was a date, but it is obviously with the reg 9 now, and I want to be here, obviously,” he said.

“I’ll always put my hands up to play for Wallabies, whatever it takes. And if I’m playing well enough, they pick me. If not, then I’ll have to go back to France.

“So hopefully I’ve done enough to get picked again to go to Argentina, cause I’d love to play.”

Under the different regulation 9 window in play this year, Tupou is set to not only go on tour to Argentina for Tests on August 30 and September 6, informed sources say he will also stay with the Wallabies through to the end of September and play against the Springboks in Perth on September 27.

Though Tupou could theoretically stay for the first Bledisloe Cup game on October 10 in Auckland, he will instead return to France in October, before reconnecting with the Wallabies in November.

“It’s all good, I believe, at this stage,” Kiss said of Tupou’s ongoing availability. “Reg 9 is in place, and I’ll be talking to Patrice [Collazo] and Teddy [Boutaayacht], the coach and the team manager of Racing this week again to make sure they understand how we’re looking after Nela and making sure we’re doing the right thing with him, and working him hard.

“So we’ll be talking to them and staying in touch with those guys so they can trust the process as well.”

Tom Hooper, who plays for Exeter, is also expected to be available for the Argentina tour, at least.

Kiss will name his squad for the two-Test tour of South America on Wednesday, with minimal changes expected. Len Ikitau will run on Tuesday after an ankle operation ruled him out of the Japan clashes, but he is odds-on to return.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is also expected to be available after missing the Townsville Test with a hamstring tweak, but whether a long flight to Argentina is seen as too risky remains to be seen, particularly given Isaac Henry and Hunter Paisami were excellent on Saturday.

Max Jorgensen had a sore rib due to friendly fire from Harry Wilson in Townsville, but he is not expected to miss any games.