Aussie hero Kyle Chalmers maintains perfect 100m freestyle medal record despite missing ‘desperate' goal
Chalmers and fellow Australian Liz Dekkers (women's 200m butterfly) both secured bronze on Thursday night in Singapore.
Chalmers collects a 14th career medal at world titles, finishing behind Romania's sizzling David Popovici (46.51 seconds) and American Jack Alexy (46.92).
Chalmers clocked 47.17 — he is yet to swim the race in less than 47 seconds, which is now the realm of world winners.
'I have been training hard for that moment, I desperately wanted to get a 46 out tonight, but it wasn't quite there,' he told Channel Nine.
'But to get on the podium is so special.'
The bronze medal maintained his perfect record of finishing in the top three in his six appearances in Olympic or world championship 100m freestyle finals.
Chalmers has twice logged personal best times of 47.08 and, at the age of 27, believes he can improve — but he now has other priorities.
Chalmers and his partner, Norwegian swimmer Ingeborg Loyning, are expecting their first child next month.
'I'm just really excited to go home now and become a dad, that is my biggest priority this year - that (swim) was just a bit of fun,' he said.
Chalmers also won gold in Singapore when anchoring Australia's 4x100m freestyle relay team on Sunday's opening night.
Earlier Thursday night, Chalmers' compatriot Dekkers took the bronze in a women's 200m butterfly won by Canadian star Summer McIntosh — the 18-year-old's third gold of the titles.
'Physically, I'm not at my best,' Dekkers said.
'So I knew that mentally, I had to be there ... I love racing, and that's why we all do this, because there's something about standing behind the blocks that we all love.'
Decorated Dolphin Mollie O'Callaghan cruised through her women's 100m freestyle semi-final, advancing to Friday night's medal race as fastest qualifier.
O'Callaghan, already with golds in the 200m freestyle and women's 4x100m relay in Singapore, won her semi in 52.82 seconds but fellow Australian Olivia Wunsch withdrew due to illness.
O'Callaghan later Thursday night will race in the women's 4x200m freestyle relay and, if victorious, will equal Ian Thorpe's Australian record for most golds at world titles, 11.
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Spirited Wallabies deny Lions series clean sweep
The Wallabies have restored some national pride and avoided a dubious place in Australian sports history with a face-saving 22-12 third-Test win over the British and Irish Lions in Sydney. Joe Schmidt's side overcame miserable conditions, the absence of key forwards Alan Alaalatoa and Rob Valetini and first-choice halfback Jake Gordon as well as the loss of dazed flyhalf Tom Lynagh to record a spirited and spiteful victory at Accor Stadium. Much of Saturday night's match was played in torrential rain while lightning early in the second half forced a rare 38-minute stoppage as several hundred fans were forced to evacuate the stadium to take shelter. The Lions had been bidding to complete the first 3-0 series whitewash in Australia since 1904 after securing the trophy with a controversial 29-26 win in Melbourne last Saturday having won the Brisbane opener 27-19. Instead the Wallabies out-played and out-enthused the series winners from the get-go to make a mockery of Andy Farrell's side's dream to be known as the greatest Lions team of all time. In a match that had everything, including four pitch invaders during the delay, the Wallabies had all the answers: grunt up front, tenacious defence and the composure to close out the contest having blown an 18-point lead in the second Test. "So proud," said triumphant skipper Harry Wilson. "Obviously it was a disappointing week this week after such a tough loss. To bounce back the way we did, to play an 80-minute performance, I'm so proud of everyone. We just wanted this game so badly. Whatever we had to do, we had to do. "To get the win was special." The Wallabies enjoyed the early running and claimed a deserved 5-0 lead when Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii skipped and drew in two defenders to put winger Dylan Pietsch over in the left corner on seven minutes. Replacing the injured Harry Potter, Pietsch designed the First Nations jersey and did the jumper proud, also earning Australia a key first-half penalty by holding up Lions centre Bundee Aki. Despite being without Alaalatoa and Valetini, the Wallabies also enjoyed scrum dominance with recalled Taniela Tupou having a storming first half at the set piece. The match erupted in the 23rd minute when the Lions took exception to Will Skelton pushing hooker Dan Sheehan off the ball. Punches were thrown in several melees but it was Skelton, who'd been agitating all game, penalised for starting the scrap. The Lions, though, still couldn't manage to escape their own half as the Wallabies continued bustling the tourists into error. Lynagh slotted a 34th minute to edge the Wallabies to an 8-0 halftime lead before the flyhalf made way for Ben Donaldson after being forced off for a HIA. TV replays captured Sheehan taking out Lynagh at a ruck and the Irishman will likely come under scrutiny from match officials. While Lynagh's head knock was a blow, the Lions suffered a worse break losing skipper Maro Itoje, who failed a HIA midway through the first half. Lions winger Tommy Freeman also left the action shortly before halftime with blood streaming down his face. Further compounding the tourists' woes was lock James Ryan being stretchered off in the opening minutes of the second half after copping an accidental knee to the head from Skelton. After going within less than a minute of levelling the series last week in Melbourne, the Wallabies played with passion and surely with a point to prove in front of 80,312 fans. Tensions boiled over on several occasions but the hosts refused to take a backward step. A 50-metre runaway try to winger Max Jorgensen in the 55th minute extended Australia's lead to 15 points, before the Lions replied through replacement forward Jac Morgan to revive their fortunes. But despite a last-second try to Will Stuart, there was no coming back for the Lions when reserve half Tate McDermott reached out to score with 10 minutes left on the clock. Big men Skelton, Tupou and lineout-stealing lock Nick Frost were enormous for the Wallabies and halfback Nic White, playing his last Test, getting under the skin of the Lions all night. The Wallabies have restored some national pride and avoided a dubious place in Australian sports history with a face-saving 22-12 third-Test win over the British and Irish Lions in Sydney. Joe Schmidt's side overcame miserable conditions, the absence of key forwards Alan Alaalatoa and Rob Valetini and first-choice halfback Jake Gordon as well as the loss of dazed flyhalf Tom Lynagh to record a spirited and spiteful victory at Accor Stadium. Much of Saturday night's match was played in torrential rain while lightning early in the second half forced a rare 38-minute stoppage as several hundred fans were forced to evacuate the stadium to take shelter. The Lions had been bidding to complete the first 3-0 series whitewash in Australia since 1904 after securing the trophy with a controversial 29-26 win in Melbourne last Saturday having won the Brisbane opener 27-19. Instead the Wallabies out-played and out-enthused the series winners from the get-go to make a mockery of Andy Farrell's side's dream to be known as the greatest Lions team of all time. In a match that had everything, including four pitch invaders during the delay, the Wallabies had all the answers: grunt up front, tenacious defence and the composure to close out the contest having blown an 18-point lead in the second Test. "So proud," said triumphant skipper Harry Wilson. "Obviously it was a disappointing week this week after such a tough loss. To bounce back the way we did, to play an 80-minute performance, I'm so proud of everyone. We just wanted this game so badly. Whatever we had to do, we had to do. "To get the win was special." The Wallabies enjoyed the early running and claimed a deserved 5-0 lead when Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii skipped and drew in two defenders to put winger Dylan Pietsch over in the left corner on seven minutes. Replacing the injured Harry Potter, Pietsch designed the First Nations jersey and did the jumper proud, also earning Australia a key first-half penalty by holding up Lions centre Bundee Aki. Despite being without Alaalatoa and Valetini, the Wallabies also enjoyed scrum dominance with recalled Taniela Tupou having a storming first half at the set piece. The match erupted in the 23rd minute when the Lions took exception to Will Skelton pushing hooker Dan Sheehan off the ball. Punches were thrown in several melees but it was Skelton, who'd been agitating all game, penalised for starting the scrap. The Lions, though, still couldn't manage to escape their own half as the Wallabies continued bustling the tourists into error. Lynagh slotted a 34th minute to edge the Wallabies to an 8-0 halftime lead before the flyhalf made way for Ben Donaldson after being forced off for a HIA. TV replays captured Sheehan taking out Lynagh at a ruck and the Irishman will likely come under scrutiny from match officials. While Lynagh's head knock was a blow, the Lions suffered a worse break losing skipper Maro Itoje, who failed a HIA midway through the first half. Lions winger Tommy Freeman also left the action shortly before halftime with blood streaming down his face. Further compounding the tourists' woes was lock James Ryan being stretchered off in the opening minutes of the second half after copping an accidental knee to the head from Skelton. After going within less than a minute of levelling the series last week in Melbourne, the Wallabies played with passion and surely with a point to prove in front of 80,312 fans. Tensions boiled over on several occasions but the hosts refused to take a backward step. A 50-metre runaway try to winger Max Jorgensen in the 55th minute extended Australia's lead to 15 points, before the Lions replied through replacement forward Jac Morgan to revive their fortunes. But despite a last-second try to Will Stuart, there was no coming back for the Lions when reserve half Tate McDermott reached out to score with 10 minutes left on the clock. Big men Skelton, Tupou and lineout-stealing lock Nick Frost were enormous for the Wallabies and halfback Nic White, playing his last Test, getting under the skin of the Lions all night. The Wallabies have restored some national pride and avoided a dubious place in Australian sports history with a face-saving 22-12 third-Test win over the British and Irish Lions in Sydney. Joe Schmidt's side overcame miserable conditions, the absence of key forwards Alan Alaalatoa and Rob Valetini and first-choice halfback Jake Gordon as well as the loss of dazed flyhalf Tom Lynagh to record a spirited and spiteful victory at Accor Stadium. Much of Saturday night's match was played in torrential rain while lightning early in the second half forced a rare 38-minute stoppage as several hundred fans were forced to evacuate the stadium to take shelter. The Lions had been bidding to complete the first 3-0 series whitewash in Australia since 1904 after securing the trophy with a controversial 29-26 win in Melbourne last Saturday having won the Brisbane opener 27-19. Instead the Wallabies out-played and out-enthused the series winners from the get-go to make a mockery of Andy Farrell's side's dream to be known as the greatest Lions team of all time. In a match that had everything, including four pitch invaders during the delay, the Wallabies had all the answers: grunt up front, tenacious defence and the composure to close out the contest having blown an 18-point lead in the second Test. "So proud," said triumphant skipper Harry Wilson. "Obviously it was a disappointing week this week after such a tough loss. To bounce back the way we did, to play an 80-minute performance, I'm so proud of everyone. We just wanted this game so badly. Whatever we had to do, we had to do. "To get the win was special." The Wallabies enjoyed the early running and claimed a deserved 5-0 lead when Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii skipped and drew in two defenders to put winger Dylan Pietsch over in the left corner on seven minutes. Replacing the injured Harry Potter, Pietsch designed the First Nations jersey and did the jumper proud, also earning Australia a key first-half penalty by holding up Lions centre Bundee Aki. Despite being without Alaalatoa and Valetini, the Wallabies also enjoyed scrum dominance with recalled Taniela Tupou having a storming first half at the set piece. The match erupted in the 23rd minute when the Lions took exception to Will Skelton pushing hooker Dan Sheehan off the ball. Punches were thrown in several melees but it was Skelton, who'd been agitating all game, penalised for starting the scrap. The Lions, though, still couldn't manage to escape their own half as the Wallabies continued bustling the tourists into error. Lynagh slotted a 34th minute to edge the Wallabies to an 8-0 halftime lead before the flyhalf made way for Ben Donaldson after being forced off for a HIA. TV replays captured Sheehan taking out Lynagh at a ruck and the Irishman will likely come under scrutiny from match officials. While Lynagh's head knock was a blow, the Lions suffered a worse break losing skipper Maro Itoje, who failed a HIA midway through the first half. Lions winger Tommy Freeman also left the action shortly before halftime with blood streaming down his face. Further compounding the tourists' woes was lock James Ryan being stretchered off in the opening minutes of the second half after copping an accidental knee to the head from Skelton. After going within less than a minute of levelling the series last week in Melbourne, the Wallabies played with passion and surely with a point to prove in front of 80,312 fans. Tensions boiled over on several occasions but the hosts refused to take a backward step. A 50-metre runaway try to winger Max Jorgensen in the 55th minute extended Australia's lead to 15 points, before the Lions replied through replacement forward Jac Morgan to revive their fortunes. But despite a last-second try to Will Stuart, there was no coming back for the Lions when reserve half Tate McDermott reached out to score with 10 minutes left on the clock. Big men Skelton, Tupou and lineout-stealing lock Nick Frost were enormous for the Wallabies and halfback Nic White, playing his last Test, getting under the skin of the Lions all night.
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an hour ago
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Harris puts gold stamp on Australia's swim world titles
Swimming with her eyes shut, Meg Harris has put a golden exclamation mark on Australia's world titles with victory in the women's 50m freestyle. Harris' gold medal on Sunday's last night of the titles in Singapore came amid silver medals to compatriot Jenna Forrester (women's 400m medley) and Australia's women's 4x100m medley relayers. Australia, with eight gold, six silver and six bronze, finished second on the medal tally behind the United States (nine, 11, nine). The 23-year-old Harris, who is partially deaf, was stunned at her success - not least, because she swims the entire lap with her eyes closed. "It's normal for me," Harris said of her shut-eye habit. "I do it a lot in the 50m and in the 100m, I always do it on the second lap. "So I'm not quite sure what it is, I do it in training as well, but I guess it's just like trying to focus on my stroke … not 100 per cent, that's just what happens." Harris clocked 24.02 seconds to claim her first individual title in a career also featuring nine relay golds at Olympics and world championships. "Stoked ... I have achieved what the dream that I've been dreaming of this whole time," said Harris, who won silver in the event at last year's Paris Olympics. In the women's 400m medley final, Australia's Forrester finished second behind Canadian megastar Summer McIntosh, who won four gold medals in Singapore. Sam Short's illness-troubled titles finished with fourth place in the men's 1500m, Isaac Cooper was seventh in the men's 50m backstroke and Brendon Smith came last in the men's 400m medley. And the Dolphins' women's 4x100m medley team of Kaylee McKeown, Ella Ramsay, Alex Perkins and Mollie O'Callaghan took silver in the last race of the championships, won by the US in a world record time of three minutes 49.34 seconds. O'Callaghan was Australia's most successful swimmer of the meet with three gold medals and two silvers. Kaylee McKeown collected two golds, repeating her 100-200m backstroke double from last year's Olympics, plus a silver while Cam McEvoy became Australia's oldest gold medallist at a world titles, winning the men's 50m freestyle aged 31. Another veteran, 27-year-old Kyle Chalmers, won gold as part of the men's 4x100m freestyle relay, and bronze in the individual 100m. Meanwhile, in the diving world titles in Singapore, Australia's Cassiel Rousseau won the men's 10m platform for the second time. The 24-year-old produced consistent excellence in Sunday night's final - he led after the first dive, was second after the next two, then held the gold medal position for the final three dives. Rousseau described his gold, which follows his victory in the event at the 2023 world championships, as "unexpected". "It definitely feels amazing," he said. Swimming with her eyes shut, Meg Harris has put a golden exclamation mark on Australia's world titles with victory in the women's 50m freestyle. Harris' gold medal on Sunday's last night of the titles in Singapore came amid silver medals to compatriot Jenna Forrester (women's 400m medley) and Australia's women's 4x100m medley relayers. Australia, with eight gold, six silver and six bronze, finished second on the medal tally behind the United States (nine, 11, nine). The 23-year-old Harris, who is partially deaf, was stunned at her success - not least, because she swims the entire lap with her eyes closed. "It's normal for me," Harris said of her shut-eye habit. "I do it a lot in the 50m and in the 100m, I always do it on the second lap. "So I'm not quite sure what it is, I do it in training as well, but I guess it's just like trying to focus on my stroke … not 100 per cent, that's just what happens." Harris clocked 24.02 seconds to claim her first individual title in a career also featuring nine relay golds at Olympics and world championships. "Stoked ... I have achieved what the dream that I've been dreaming of this whole time," said Harris, who won silver in the event at last year's Paris Olympics. In the women's 400m medley final, Australia's Forrester finished second behind Canadian megastar Summer McIntosh, who won four gold medals in Singapore. Sam Short's illness-troubled titles finished with fourth place in the men's 1500m, Isaac Cooper was seventh in the men's 50m backstroke and Brendon Smith came last in the men's 400m medley. And the Dolphins' women's 4x100m medley team of Kaylee McKeown, Ella Ramsay, Alex Perkins and Mollie O'Callaghan took silver in the last race of the championships, won by the US in a world record time of three minutes 49.34 seconds. O'Callaghan was Australia's most successful swimmer of the meet with three gold medals and two silvers. Kaylee McKeown collected two golds, repeating her 100-200m backstroke double from last year's Olympics, plus a silver while Cam McEvoy became Australia's oldest gold medallist at a world titles, winning the men's 50m freestyle aged 31. Another veteran, 27-year-old Kyle Chalmers, won gold as part of the men's 4x100m freestyle relay, and bronze in the individual 100m. Meanwhile, in the diving world titles in Singapore, Australia's Cassiel Rousseau won the men's 10m platform for the second time. The 24-year-old produced consistent excellence in Sunday night's final - he led after the first dive, was second after the next two, then held the gold medal position for the final three dives. Rousseau described his gold, which follows his victory in the event at the 2023 world championships, as "unexpected". "It definitely feels amazing," he said. Swimming with her eyes shut, Meg Harris has put a golden exclamation mark on Australia's world titles with victory in the women's 50m freestyle. Harris' gold medal on Sunday's last night of the titles in Singapore came amid silver medals to compatriot Jenna Forrester (women's 400m medley) and Australia's women's 4x100m medley relayers. Australia, with eight gold, six silver and six bronze, finished second on the medal tally behind the United States (nine, 11, nine). The 23-year-old Harris, who is partially deaf, was stunned at her success - not least, because she swims the entire lap with her eyes closed. "It's normal for me," Harris said of her shut-eye habit. "I do it a lot in the 50m and in the 100m, I always do it on the second lap. "So I'm not quite sure what it is, I do it in training as well, but I guess it's just like trying to focus on my stroke … not 100 per cent, that's just what happens." Harris clocked 24.02 seconds to claim her first individual title in a career also featuring nine relay golds at Olympics and world championships. "Stoked ... I have achieved what the dream that I've been dreaming of this whole time," said Harris, who won silver in the event at last year's Paris Olympics. In the women's 400m medley final, Australia's Forrester finished second behind Canadian megastar Summer McIntosh, who won four gold medals in Singapore. Sam Short's illness-troubled titles finished with fourth place in the men's 1500m, Isaac Cooper was seventh in the men's 50m backstroke and Brendon Smith came last in the men's 400m medley. And the Dolphins' women's 4x100m medley team of Kaylee McKeown, Ella Ramsay, Alex Perkins and Mollie O'Callaghan took silver in the last race of the championships, won by the US in a world record time of three minutes 49.34 seconds. O'Callaghan was Australia's most successful swimmer of the meet with three gold medals and two silvers. Kaylee McKeown collected two golds, repeating her 100-200m backstroke double from last year's Olympics, plus a silver while Cam McEvoy became Australia's oldest gold medallist at a world titles, winning the men's 50m freestyle aged 31. Another veteran, 27-year-old Kyle Chalmers, won gold as part of the men's 4x100m freestyle relay, and bronze in the individual 100m. Meanwhile, in the diving world titles in Singapore, Australia's Cassiel Rousseau won the men's 10m platform for the second time. The 24-year-old produced consistent excellence in Sunday night's final - he led after the first dive, was second after the next two, then held the gold medal position for the final three dives. Rousseau described his gold, which follows his victory in the event at the 2023 world championships, as "unexpected". "It definitely feels amazing," he said.
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an hour ago
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'If they need me': Tupou reveals World Cup dream
Taniela Tupou is pledging to play every Test like it's his last after reviving his Wallabies career with a performance for the ages. Three months after candidly claiming he didn't deserve to feature against the British and Irish Lions, Tupou repaid Joe Schmidt's faith in him with one of the mightiest displays in a gold jumper. While back-rower Tom Hooper was a deserving man of the match, the powerhouse prop was also immense in Australia's stirring 22-12 victory over the British and Irish Lions in Sydney on Saturday night. Destructive at scrum time, a menace in the loose and generally inspirational during a game-changing 60-minute shift, Tupou conceded he feared during a turbulent Super Rugby Pacific season with the NSW Waratahs that he may never play for the Wallabies again. But an emotional Tupou, wrapping his big arms around a Sydney journalist and thanking the scribe for his support during the dark times was the most poignant moment inside the Accor Stadium walls post match. "It's always an honour to be named in the Wallabies, to represent Australia. I was quite emotional when I sang the anthem," the 29-year-old said. "And as you get older, these opportunities mean a lot more to you and you tend to think when you get older, 'Oh man, one of these games could be the last'. "So I was just soaking in the environment, the crowd and everything. It was it was pretty cool to be part of it. So delighted we won the game." Australian rugby's highest-paid forward is heading to Racing 92 in France this year but hasn't given up on featuring at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, now that he's resurrected his international career. "I always make myself available for the Wallabies, whether I'm in France or wherever I am," Tupou said. "So if they need me, I'll 100 per cent put my hands up. "So hopefully this isn't the last time. Hopefully there's more to come." The gentle giant said the opportunity to play against the Lions, especially after his tumultuous season, was not lost on him. "I'm glad I'm part of this one and part of a win against the Lions. There's a lot of Wallabies legends who don't get a chance to play against the Lions," Tupou said. "We needed this win. We've been through a lot this week and the last few weeks and it's good to be out there playing footy because for me I only played the (one) game." "I need to keep playing footy so this helps me. Hopefully I keep playing and who knows what happened in TRC, so fingers crossed." Taniela Tupou is pledging to play every Test like it's his last after reviving his Wallabies career with a performance for the ages. Three months after candidly claiming he didn't deserve to feature against the British and Irish Lions, Tupou repaid Joe Schmidt's faith in him with one of the mightiest displays in a gold jumper. While back-rower Tom Hooper was a deserving man of the match, the powerhouse prop was also immense in Australia's stirring 22-12 victory over the British and Irish Lions in Sydney on Saturday night. Destructive at scrum time, a menace in the loose and generally inspirational during a game-changing 60-minute shift, Tupou conceded he feared during a turbulent Super Rugby Pacific season with the NSW Waratahs that he may never play for the Wallabies again. But an emotional Tupou, wrapping his big arms around a Sydney journalist and thanking the scribe for his support during the dark times was the most poignant moment inside the Accor Stadium walls post match. "It's always an honour to be named in the Wallabies, to represent Australia. I was quite emotional when I sang the anthem," the 29-year-old said. "And as you get older, these opportunities mean a lot more to you and you tend to think when you get older, 'Oh man, one of these games could be the last'. "So I was just soaking in the environment, the crowd and everything. It was it was pretty cool to be part of it. So delighted we won the game." Australian rugby's highest-paid forward is heading to Racing 92 in France this year but hasn't given up on featuring at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, now that he's resurrected his international career. "I always make myself available for the Wallabies, whether I'm in France or wherever I am," Tupou said. "So if they need me, I'll 100 per cent put my hands up. "So hopefully this isn't the last time. Hopefully there's more to come." The gentle giant said the opportunity to play against the Lions, especially after his tumultuous season, was not lost on him. "I'm glad I'm part of this one and part of a win against the Lions. There's a lot of Wallabies legends who don't get a chance to play against the Lions," Tupou said. "We needed this win. We've been through a lot this week and the last few weeks and it's good to be out there playing footy because for me I only played the (one) game." "I need to keep playing footy so this helps me. Hopefully I keep playing and who knows what happened in TRC, so fingers crossed." Taniela Tupou is pledging to play every Test like it's his last after reviving his Wallabies career with a performance for the ages. Three months after candidly claiming he didn't deserve to feature against the British and Irish Lions, Tupou repaid Joe Schmidt's faith in him with one of the mightiest displays in a gold jumper. While back-rower Tom Hooper was a deserving man of the match, the powerhouse prop was also immense in Australia's stirring 22-12 victory over the British and Irish Lions in Sydney on Saturday night. Destructive at scrum time, a menace in the loose and generally inspirational during a game-changing 60-minute shift, Tupou conceded he feared during a turbulent Super Rugby Pacific season with the NSW Waratahs that he may never play for the Wallabies again. But an emotional Tupou, wrapping his big arms around a Sydney journalist and thanking the scribe for his support during the dark times was the most poignant moment inside the Accor Stadium walls post match. "It's always an honour to be named in the Wallabies, to represent Australia. I was quite emotional when I sang the anthem," the 29-year-old said. "And as you get older, these opportunities mean a lot more to you and you tend to think when you get older, 'Oh man, one of these games could be the last'. "So I was just soaking in the environment, the crowd and everything. It was it was pretty cool to be part of it. So delighted we won the game." Australian rugby's highest-paid forward is heading to Racing 92 in France this year but hasn't given up on featuring at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, now that he's resurrected his international career. "I always make myself available for the Wallabies, whether I'm in France or wherever I am," Tupou said. "So if they need me, I'll 100 per cent put my hands up. "So hopefully this isn't the last time. Hopefully there's more to come." The gentle giant said the opportunity to play against the Lions, especially after his tumultuous season, was not lost on him. "I'm glad I'm part of this one and part of a win against the Lions. There's a lot of Wallabies legends who don't get a chance to play against the Lions," Tupou said. "We needed this win. We've been through a lot this week and the last few weeks and it's good to be out there playing footy because for me I only played the (one) game." "I need to keep playing footy so this helps me. Hopefully I keep playing and who knows what happened in TRC, so fingers crossed." Taniela Tupou is pledging to play every Test like it's his last after reviving his Wallabies career with a performance for the ages. Three months after candidly claiming he didn't deserve to feature against the British and Irish Lions, Tupou repaid Joe Schmidt's faith in him with one of the mightiest displays in a gold jumper. While back-rower Tom Hooper was a deserving man of the match, the powerhouse prop was also immense in Australia's stirring 22-12 victory over the British and Irish Lions in Sydney on Saturday night. Destructive at scrum time, a menace in the loose and generally inspirational during a game-changing 60-minute shift, Tupou conceded he feared during a turbulent Super Rugby Pacific season with the NSW Waratahs that he may never play for the Wallabies again. But an emotional Tupou, wrapping his big arms around a Sydney journalist and thanking the scribe for his support during the dark times was the most poignant moment inside the Accor Stadium walls post match. "It's always an honour to be named in the Wallabies, to represent Australia. I was quite emotional when I sang the anthem," the 29-year-old said. "And as you get older, these opportunities mean a lot more to you and you tend to think when you get older, 'Oh man, one of these games could be the last'. "So I was just soaking in the environment, the crowd and everything. It was it was pretty cool to be part of it. So delighted we won the game." Australian rugby's highest-paid forward is heading to Racing 92 in France this year but hasn't given up on featuring at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, now that he's resurrected his international career. "I always make myself available for the Wallabies, whether I'm in France or wherever I am," Tupou said. "So if they need me, I'll 100 per cent put my hands up. "So hopefully this isn't the last time. Hopefully there's more to come." The gentle giant said the opportunity to play against the Lions, especially after his tumultuous season, was not lost on him. "I'm glad I'm part of this one and part of a win against the Lions. There's a lot of Wallabies legends who don't get a chance to play against the Lions," Tupou said. "We needed this win. We've been through a lot this week and the last few weeks and it's good to be out there playing footy because for me I only played the (one) game." "I need to keep playing footy so this helps me. Hopefully I keep playing and who knows what happened in TRC, so fingers crossed."
