Will Tupou
Centre
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Profile
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Height:
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195cm
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Weight:
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104kg
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Date Of Birth:
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20/07/1990
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Place of Birth:
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Auckland, NZ
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Rugby Career
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Senior Club:
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Wanneroo (WA)
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Stats
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Super Rugby Caps:
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13 (Force)
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Super Rugby Points:
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5 (1t)
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Super Rugby Debut:
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2012 v Waratahs, Sydney
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Profile
Will Tupou is a dynamic inside centre, who returns for his second season with the Emirates Western Force. The 22-year-old, whose 2012 season was disrupted by a hamstring injury, gave the Sea of Blue a taste of things to come with his physical footballing nature through his brutal defence and his ability to hit the line and break a tackle. Having made the transition back to rugby last season, Tupou played seven games for the Emirates Western Force, starting at outside centre in six of them. On leaving school, the imposing midfielder spent four seasons playing rugby league representing the Brisbane Broncos at Under 20 level before becoming a regular starter for the North Queensland Cowboys during the 2010 and 2011 National Rugby League season. Auckland-born Tupou, who can also play on the wing, will benefit from last season’s re-familiarisation and will be looking to make his mark on the provincial competition in 2013.
Timeline
2007
Selected for Australia A Schoolboys but ruled out with a knee injury.
2008
Represents the Brisbane Broncos in the National Youth Competition; starts in the centres in the Broncos 28-24 NYC grand final loss to the Canberra Raiders; represents Queensland Under 20.
2009
Ruled out of the entire NYC season for the Brisbane Broncos after suffering a shoulder injury – requiring a reconstruction – in a pre-season match against the Gold Coast Titans.
2010
Makes his National Rugby League (NRL) debut in the North Queensland Cowboys’ 32-18 win over the Gold Coast Titans in Round Four; plays 12 matches for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League, scoring four tries; selected in the train-on squad for the Junior Kiwis (rugby league).
2011
Plays nine matches for the North Queensland Cowboys, scoring three tries; signs with the Emirates Western Force for two seasons.
2012
Returns to rugby in the Emirates Western Force A’s 61-5 win over West Harbour; makes his Super Rugby debut at outside centre in the Emirates Western Force’s 21-20 win over the Waratahs in Sydney in Week Four; suffers a hamstring injury in Week Five against the Rebels that sidelines him for six weeks; plays seven matches (starting in six) during the Super Rugby season.