Super Rugby Pacific Round Six: ‘Lethargic’ Waratahs Criticised as Taniela Tupou Fades from Action

Dan Palmer, the forwards coach for the NSW Waratahs, believes that Taniela Tupou still has plenty more to give as scrutiny intensifies on the underperforming prop this week.

The Waratahs suffered their first defeat of the Super Rugby Pacific season last weekend, enduring a heavy 35-15 loss to the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium.

The low point of the match occurred when Reds hooker Richie Asiata touched down following a long-range rolling maul, a move the NSW pack failed to counter effectively.

Tupou’s lack of action during Queensland’s try was particularly glaring, as the Wallabies star appeared to merely observe rather than engage.

“We were sluggish, complacent, and failed to execute our roles,” Palmer stated regarding the performance.

“We’ve confronted the issues directly in training, and I anticipate a significant improvement this weekend.”

The Waratahs have an opportunity to rectify their mistakes against the ACT Brumbies at Allianz Stadium in Sydney this Saturday.

Tupou remains in the starting lineup at tighthead prop, and Palmer advocated for patience ahead of their round six clash.

As a member of Eddie Jones’ coaching staff for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Palmer was asked why Tupou wasn’t making more runs with the ball.

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“You’ll need to ask Nella that,” the one-Test prop responded. “In my opinion, he’s progressing nicely. He has been with us for a month or two. He’s settling into a new team, grasping new systems, and getting his body back in shape. He is indeed progressing.

“We’re starting to see positive signs of him advancing throughout the season, and I believe that will continue. It requires consistent effort with him.

“He is putting in the hard work. It’s going to take ongoing commitment from him and many others.

“A number of players here are adapting to new surroundings, learning a wealth of new information, and getting their bodies into peak condition. It will be a consistent effort throughout the year, and I am confident we will see him improve drastically.”

Continue reading for all the details on the round six teams.

Moana Pasifika vs Chiefs

FRI 21 March: Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe (5.05pm kickoff AEDT)

PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Millennium Sanerivi, Sione Mafile’o, Tom Savage (c), Allan Craig, Ola Tauelangi, Miracle Faillagi, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Kyren Taumoefolau, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Pepesana Patafilo, Losi Filipo, William Havili

Replacements: Sama Malolo, Tito Tuipulotu, Chris Apoua, Michael Curry, Semisi Paea, Melani Matavao, Tevita Ofa, Tuna Tuitama

CHIEFS (1-15): Jared Profitt, Bradley Slater, Reuben O’Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Xavier Roe, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Gideon Wrampling, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson

Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross, Sione Ahio, James Thompson, Jahrome Brown, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Quinn Tupaea

Referee: Marcus Playle

Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Fraser Hannon

TMO: Shane McDermott

Highlanders vs Queensland Reds

SAT 22 March: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (2.35pm kickoff AEDT)

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Soane Vikena, Saula Ma’u, TK Howden, Mitch Dunshea, Sean Withy, Veveni Lasaqa, Nikora Broughton, Nathan Hastie, Taine Robinson, Timoci Tavatavanawai (c), Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Tanielu Tele’a, Caleb Tangitau, Finn Hurley

Replacements: Jack Taylor, Josh Bartlett, Sefo Kautai, Fabian Holland, Will Stodart, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Sam Gilbert

REDS (1-15): Sef Fa’agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Angus Blyth, Seru Uru, John Bryant, Harry Wilson (c), Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Heremaia Murray

Replacements: George Blake, Alex Hodgman, Massimo De Lutiis, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Louis Werchon, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Dre Pakeho

Referee: Damon Murphy

Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, Jeremy Markey

TMO: Brett Cronan

Blues vs Crusaders

SAT 22 March: Eden Park, Auckland (5.05pm kickoff AEDT)

BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu’a, Kurt Eklund, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Josh Beehre, Cam Christie, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Sam Nock, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Xavi Taele, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Corey Evans

Replacements: James Mullan, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Tristyn Cook, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes

CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Kyle Preston, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Dallas McLeod, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan

Replacements: Ioane Moananu, George Bower, Seb Calder, Quinten Strange, Corey Kellow, Noah Hotham, James O’Connor, Macca Springer

Referee: James Doleman

Assistant Referee: Mike Winter, Fraser Hannon

TMO: Richard Kelly

NSW Waratahs vs ACT Brumbies

SAT 22 March: Allianz Stadium, Sydney (7.35pm kickoff AEDT)

WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Taniela Tupou, Hugh Sinclair (c), Ben Grant, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Teddy Wilson, Lawson Creighton, Max Jorgensen, Joey Walton, Henry O’Donnell, Triston Reilly, Andrew Kellaway

Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Isaac Kailea, Daniel Botha, Felix Kalapu, Jamie Adamson, Leafi Talataina, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed

BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Ollie Sapsford, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright

Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Blake Schoupp, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Rory Scott, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Austin Anderson

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe

Assistant Referee: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw

TMO: Glenn Newman

Western Force vs Fijian Drua

SUN 23 March: HBF Park, Perth (5.05pm kickoff AEDT)

FORCE (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Sio Tomkinson, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy

Replacements: Tom Horton, Marley Pearce, Atu Moli, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Reed Prinsep, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Reesjan Pasitoa

DRUA (1-15): Livai Natave, Tevita Ikanivere (c), Meli Tuni, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Elia Canakaivata, Meli Derenalagi, Simione Kuruvoli, Caleb Muntz, Taniela Rakuro, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Iosefo Masi, Ponipate Loganimasi, Ilaisa Droasese

Replacements: Mesulame Dolokoto, Haereiti Hetet, Mesake Doge, Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Peni Matawalu, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Vuate Karawalevu

Referee: Nic Berry

Assistant Referees: Jordan Way, Jordan Kaminski

TMO: James Leckie