Reds ‘stoked’ to have prop Taniela Tupou available for grudge match with the Waratahs

Taniela Tupou’s success in having a foul play charge thrown out could spell bad news for the Waratahs.

The Waratahs will have to nullify the power of Taniela Tupou. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

A “fired-up” Taniela Tupou is ready to rip into the NSW Waratahs in Saturday night’s Super Rugby Pacific showdown at Suncorp Stadium after being cleared of foul play by the SANZAAR judicial committee.

Despite not being penalised during the game, powerhouse prop Tupou was retrospectively cited and banned for matches for a clean out on Brumbies flanker Jahrome Brown in Queensland’s 16-12 loss in Canberra last Friday night.,

But adamant it was shoulder-on-shoulder contact, the Reds fought the charge and ban – with success – at a judicial hearing on Wednesday night.

Taniela Tupou (right) is ready to take on the Waratahs. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“He was pretty fired up, pretty happy, and relieved to get off and be turning out this weekend,” Tupou’s Reds teammate Jordan Petaia said on Thursday.

“The boys were stoked (and) really happy that (the charge) got overturned.

“It’s good to see, and it’s great for our team as well to have him playing on the weekend.”

Petaia, who has extended his deal with Rugby Australia and the Reds until the end of 2024, said the Queenslanders were “up for” the battle for the Bob Templeton Cup.

“It’s always a good rivalry – the classic states,” he said.