Tupou released from Wallabies to play in Tahs-Lions clash

Million-dollar man Taniela Tupou has a fight on his hands to play in the Test series for the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions after the big prop was released back to the Waratahs for their clash with the Lions on Saturday.

The Wallabies announced on social media on Monday morning that Tupou would leave their camp and re-join the Tahs to prepare for their match against the Lions at Allianz Stadium.

It ensures Tupou won’t be part of the Wallabies’ team to play against Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday, which gets named on Friday.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is set to name his strongest team for the warm-up clash against the Fijians, which duly points to Tupou being down the pecking order of props and in danger of missing the first Test team against the Lions in Brisbane on July 19.

The $1.1 million tighthead prop endured a poor season with the Waratahs and even spoke candidly about preparing himself for the bad news of not being picked in the Wallabies squad for the Lions tour.

Taniela Tupou poses for a portrait during an Australian Wallabies portrait session.Credit: Getty Images

That didn’t eventuate, with Tupou named in Schmidt’s 36-man squad last week. But his standing as a first-choice player in the Test side appears to have changed.

The 145kg prop has a perfect opportunity to impress Schmidt against the Lions, however, who are also expected to name a Test-strength side for the Waratahs.

Lions coach Andy Farrell will show his cards on Monday morning when he names a side to meet the Reds in Brisbane on Wednesday night.

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Tupou’s move back to the Waratahs comes as news of his move to Racing 92, in France, next season firmed up over the weekend.

Leading French media outlets reported Tupou had agreed to terms to join the Paris-based franchise next season.

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