Wallaby prop Scott Sio marvels at teammate Taniela Tupou’s potential

TANIELA Tupou is the fastest forward in the Wallabies’ tight five, definitely the strongest, and his time as a Test starter will come.

Wallaby prop Taniela Tupou during the Test against the Springboks in Brisbane on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

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TANIELA Tupou is the fastest forward in the Wallabies’ tight five, definitely the strongest, and his time as a Test starter will come.

Fellow prop Scott Sio gave a glowing endorsement of Tupou’s readiness to start, if needed, and the long game to turn his five-Test introduction into so much more.

“I marvel at how athletic he is and the size he is and how far he takes his potential is up to him,” Sio said.

“He’s still learning but it’s not a matter of nurturing or anything.

“If he gets his opportunity to start, I’m sure he’ll be ready.”

Wallaby prop Taniela Tupou during the Test against the Springboks in Brisbane on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

On Thursday, coach Michael Cheika is expected to pick “Tongan Thor” on the bench for more super-sub impact against the strong-scrummaging Argentines at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast on Saturday night.

It also reflects the high rating of starting tighthead Allan Alaalatoa, whose tackling, workrate and grinding at scrum-time were valued against South Africa last weekend.

“There are games where you don’t quite get things right and you have to grind things out and that’s what Allan and I found before we got things settled,” Sio said.

“Building that consistency is what you want.”

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Originally published as Wallaby prop Scott Sio marvels at teammate Taniela Tupou’s potential