Tahlia Tupaea injury a blow to Sydney Uni Flames WNBL title defence

SHE’S been identified as a future Opal but for the second year running star guard Tahlia Tupaea will be absent from the Flames for most of the WNBL season.

Sydney Flames point guard Tahlia Tupaea will miss a big part s injured again.

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SHE’S been identified as a future Opal and WNBA player but for the second year running star guard Tahlia Tupaea will be stuck in the stands for most of the WNBL season.

The 20-year-old basketballer, the second youngest debutant in WNBL history at age 15 and 133 days, has undergone surgery for the second time in less than a year after fracturing her fifth metatarsal again.

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The injury is a major blow to the young starter expected to play a pivotal role with defending WNBL champions, the Sydney Uni Flames, this season.

Sydney Flames guard Tahlia Tupaea has undergone foot surgery.

But Tupaea says her aim is to make it back on court for at least a few games at the back end of the shortened 2017/2018 WNBL season which starts in October and winds up at the end of January.

“I had surgery on my foot again, in the fifth metatarsal, the one I broke last year. it was a new crack that had happened,” said Tupaea, who was selected by the Minnesota Lynx with the 36th overall pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft.

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“I’ve had a new pin and bone graft.

“They don’t know what’s it’s from, maybe overload, maybe just unlucky.”

Tahlia Tupaea in action during last year’s WNBL.

Tupaea said her immediate goal is to pull on a uniform by December.

“I’m hoping to get a few games in at least,” she said.

The Flames are yet to confirm who will replace Tupaea as they continue preparations for the start of their season on October 6 against Adelaide.

The Flame have a tough opening to the season with the side travelling from Adelaide to Perth for its second game of round one on October 8.