Taniela Tupou receives NSW teammate’s support amid selection pressure

Wallabies prop Angus Bell says Taniela Tupou has a ‘point to prove’ after lethargic effort on the weekend. Plus, he reveals his retirement fears ahead of his milestone game for NSW.

TANIELA Tupou has “a point to prove” following his lethargic tackle effort last week, according to front row partner Angus Bell ahead of the Waratahs’ crucial game on Friday against Super Rugby leaders the Chiefs.

Tupou, Rugby Australia’s $1.2 million man, came off the bench for NSW in their woeful 45-28 loss to Moana Pasifika last weekend and drew widespread criticism for his poor attempted tackle on Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, who strolled through for one of several second half tries.

NSW head coach Dan McKellar will unveil his team for the Chiefs on Wednesday, and is set to select Tupou again.

“Tani’s working really hard, people forget how good he can be - I’ve seen him take over games against the best in the world,” Bell said.

Taniela Tupou (L) is criticised for his lethargic tackle. Picture: Dave Rowland/Getty Images

“He’s enjoying it here, he’s got a close group around him, and now it’s just about getting out there and doing it.

“He’s got a point to prove and I’m excited to see how he goes.”

Tupou, who is off contract this year, was dropped to the bench last week with McKellar saying the team needed more out of him.

He failed to deliver on that, but against a Chiefs team stacked with powerful front rowers, Tupou is likely to earn a reprieve.

“He’s obviously just gone into it, not a slump, but just hasn’t produced what everyone expects Taniela to produce, which is fine,” Bell said.

“He obviously knows that and he’s going to keep working super hard to get better. As he is every day and every week, he’s working harder and harder to get as good as he can.

Tupou is Rugby Australia’s million dollar man. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

“He knows how important he is to both our team and Australian rugby.”

Bell, who will bring up his 50th cap for NSW at Allianz Stadium, revealed he considered retirement from rugby after three injury-plagued seasons from 2022-24.

“I thought I was going to probably retire last year,” Bell said. “I didn’t really know if I would play in the front row again, which was pretty daunting.

“There’s been times where I doubted that I’d get to 50 or even be playing again, so it’s pretty surreal. It’s cool to hit 50. I never thought I would.

“I just wanted to be remembered as someone who worked hard and was uncompromising, someone you wanted to play alongside,” Bell said.

“It’s pretty awesome to now be sitting here about to play my 50th for the Tahs.”

Angus Bell notches up his 50th NSW cap. Picture: Dave Rowland/Getty Images

NSW has conceded 102 points in their past two games against Moana and the Hurricanes, and 24-year-old Bell said the team was failing in one key area.

“We’re just losing collisions and not being physical enough,” Bell said.

“When fatigue kicks in, we’ve got to be able to push through that and stay physical.

“We were really good for 45 minutes last week, but after that, we went away from our game plan and tried to match Moana’s style, which doesn’t suit us.

“Every team is super competitive this year - if you don’t front up, you’ll get 40 points put on you.

“The Chiefs are quick, organised, and full of quality players like Damian McKenzie.

“We know what we’re up against, but we’re ready for it. The standards have definitely lifted at training this week.”

Originally published as Taniela Tupou receives NSW teammate’s support amid selection pressure