Latest news with #Kepu
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Australia need tightheads on top, warns Wallabies great
Wallabies centurion Sekope Kepu is backing Taniela Tupou to rediscover his best form, saying Australia need him firing to match the British and Irish Lions up front. Kepu played 110 Tests for Australia, including being part of the 2013 Lions series, and will be involved in the upcoming tour, named as an assistant coach for the First Nations and Pasifika Invitational XV, who will face the Lions in Melbourne. The 39-year-old former tighthead prop said the Wallabies must have their best tightheads, Tupou and Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa, anchoring the scrum to match the might of the northern hemisphere, with the first Test in Brisbane on July 19. "There's good young guys coming through Australian rugby, a couple of the Reds boys, but I think with Allan and Taniela, those are the two cornerstones of Australian rugby at the moment in terms of anchoring that scrum," Kepu said from Japan, where he is part of the coaching staff at the Shimizu Blue Sharks. "That's purely around, they're at that ripe age now, and seeing the way that Allan's been playing, I think they'll play a crucial part. "The Lions will bring that mentality and that attitude of it's all won up front and no doubt, so it's going to be massive." Kepu played in all three Tests of the 2013 series, won 2-1 by the visitors, and said the Wallabies scrum almost turned the result of the first Test, the Lions winning 23-21. Unfortunately for the Australians, Kurtley Beale slipped as he attempted a penalty goal in the final minute of the match. "I remember back to the Brisbane game in 2013, the first game, we got a penalty in that scrum, we managed to push them in that scrum and we got a penalty," said Kepu, who played in three World Cups. "Unfortunately Kurtley (Beale) slipped over and missed it, but that's what it comes down to - it can be won and lost simply with the scrum, so I think the forwards are going to be massive." Tupou's form has been below par in his first Super Rugby Pacific season with the Waratahs, unable to string together consistently good games. Kepu said he spoke regularly with his fellow Tongan brethren and believed his achilles injury, suffered in late 2022, could still be having an impact - at least mentally. Kepu suffered the same injury and said that upon his return it played on his mind each time he packed a scrum. "I know that it's a continuous battle, because it's in your mind all the time,'' he said. "Every time you pack a scrum, you're worrying about that a little bit, and I think part of it (Tupou) is that." If Tupou was overlooked for the Wallabies, Kepu said the 29-year-old would be at the top of his wish-list for the invitational side. Wallabies centurion Sekope Kepu is backing Taniela Tupou to rediscover his best form, saying Australia need him firing to match the British and Irish Lions up front. Kepu played 110 Tests for Australia, including being part of the 2013 Lions series, and will be involved in the upcoming tour, named as an assistant coach for the First Nations and Pasifika Invitational XV, who will face the Lions in Melbourne. The 39-year-old former tighthead prop said the Wallabies must have their best tightheads, Tupou and Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa, anchoring the scrum to match the might of the northern hemisphere, with the first Test in Brisbane on July 19. "There's good young guys coming through Australian rugby, a couple of the Reds boys, but I think with Allan and Taniela, those are the two cornerstones of Australian rugby at the moment in terms of anchoring that scrum," Kepu said from Japan, where he is part of the coaching staff at the Shimizu Blue Sharks. "That's purely around, they're at that ripe age now, and seeing the way that Allan's been playing, I think they'll play a crucial part. "The Lions will bring that mentality and that attitude of it's all won up front and no doubt, so it's going to be massive." Kepu played in all three Tests of the 2013 series, won 2-1 by the visitors, and said the Wallabies scrum almost turned the result of the first Test, the Lions winning 23-21. Unfortunately for the Australians, Kurtley Beale slipped as he attempted a penalty goal in the final minute of the match. "I remember back to the Brisbane game in 2013, the first game, we got a penalty in that scrum, we managed to push them in that scrum and we got a penalty," said Kepu, who played in three World Cups. "Unfortunately Kurtley (Beale) slipped over and missed it, but that's what it comes down to - it can be won and lost simply with the scrum, so I think the forwards are going to be massive." Tupou's form has been below par in his first Super Rugby Pacific season with the Waratahs, unable to string together consistently good games. Kepu said he spoke regularly with his fellow Tongan brethren and believed his achilles injury, suffered in late 2022, could still be having an impact - at least mentally. Kepu suffered the same injury and said that upon his return it played on his mind each time he packed a scrum. "I know that it's a continuous battle, because it's in your mind all the time,'' he said. "Every time you pack a scrum, you're worrying about that a little bit, and I think part of it (Tupou) is that." If Tupou was overlooked for the Wallabies, Kepu said the 29-year-old would be at the top of his wish-list for the invitational side. Wallabies centurion Sekope Kepu is backing Taniela Tupou to rediscover his best form, saying Australia need him firing to match the British and Irish Lions up front. Kepu played 110 Tests for Australia, including being part of the 2013 Lions series, and will be involved in the upcoming tour, named as an assistant coach for the First Nations and Pasifika Invitational XV, who will face the Lions in Melbourne. The 39-year-old former tighthead prop said the Wallabies must have their best tightheads, Tupou and Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa, anchoring the scrum to match the might of the northern hemisphere, with the first Test in Brisbane on July 19. "There's good young guys coming through Australian rugby, a couple of the Reds boys, but I think with Allan and Taniela, those are the two cornerstones of Australian rugby at the moment in terms of anchoring that scrum," Kepu said from Japan, where he is part of the coaching staff at the Shimizu Blue Sharks. "That's purely around, they're at that ripe age now, and seeing the way that Allan's been playing, I think they'll play a crucial part. "The Lions will bring that mentality and that attitude of it's all won up front and no doubt, so it's going to be massive." Kepu played in all three Tests of the 2013 series, won 2-1 by the visitors, and said the Wallabies scrum almost turned the result of the first Test, the Lions winning 23-21. Unfortunately for the Australians, Kurtley Beale slipped as he attempted a penalty goal in the final minute of the match. "I remember back to the Brisbane game in 2013, the first game, we got a penalty in that scrum, we managed to push them in that scrum and we got a penalty," said Kepu, who played in three World Cups. "Unfortunately Kurtley (Beale) slipped over and missed it, but that's what it comes down to - it can be won and lost simply with the scrum, so I think the forwards are going to be massive." Tupou's form has been below par in his first Super Rugby Pacific season with the Waratahs, unable to string together consistently good games. Kepu said he spoke regularly with his fellow Tongan brethren and believed his achilles injury, suffered in late 2022, could still be having an impact - at least mentally. Kepu suffered the same injury and said that upon his return it played on his mind each time he packed a scrum. "I know that it's a continuous battle, because it's in your mind all the time,'' he said. "Every time you pack a scrum, you're worrying about that a little bit, and I think part of it (Tupou) is that." If Tupou was overlooked for the Wallabies, Kepu said the 29-year-old would be at the top of his wish-list for the invitational side.
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Moana Pasifika's rise massive, says Wallabies great
Whether they play Super Rugby Pacific finals or not, inaugural Moana Pasifika captain Sekope Kepu has declared the season a triumph for the Ardie Savea-led side. Moana play the biggest match in their four-year history when they face Savea's former side, the Hurricanes, in a must-win game on Saturday. They currently hold the sixth and final play-offs spot but could be overtaken by the Blues or the NSW Waratahs. With All Blacks superstar Savea signing on to honour his Samoan heritage, Moana have already banked six wins this season to eclipse their previous win record of four. In their first two seasons they only managed a total of three. Coached by New Zealand great Tana Umaga, they have taken the scalps of the defending champion Blues for the first time, as well as victories over the Hurricanes, Waratahs, Crusaders, the Highlanders and the Fijian Drua. That win-record makes the season already a success, according to retired Wallabies great Kepu, who led the team in their first season in 2022. "From year one, where we won one game ... this year, beating a lot more New Zealand teams, there's been improvements every year, and it's already a win in my books," the 39-year-old said. "They've won six games, beat the Blues, it's been massive. "It's just nice to see them start to bear some of that fruit and put pressure on teams and get wins over the teams that they weren't expected to beat and it will continue to grow. Such has been loose forward Savea's contribution that with an unbeatable lead he was declared Super Rugby Pacific player of the season with two rounds to play. Former tighthead Kepu, who played 110 Tests, said 2023 World Player of the Year Savea led by example and made players around him better. "Talking to them, he's inspired a lot of those guys and having him in there has just been special for the group," said Kepu, who was last week announced as an assistant coach for the historic First Nations & Pasifika Invitational XV, who will face the touring Lions in July. "The way he's led the team has been unbelievable and it's been unreal to watch their progress. "The boys, they see a leader, and they follow him and some of those guys I've watched develop - Miracle Fai'ilagi and Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa - they've just been phenomenal as a backrow and they just follow the leader." Whether they play Super Rugby Pacific finals or not, inaugural Moana Pasifika captain Sekope Kepu has declared the season a triumph for the Ardie Savea-led side. Moana play the biggest match in their four-year history when they face Savea's former side, the Hurricanes, in a must-win game on Saturday. They currently hold the sixth and final play-offs spot but could be overtaken by the Blues or the NSW Waratahs. With All Blacks superstar Savea signing on to honour his Samoan heritage, Moana have already banked six wins this season to eclipse their previous win record of four. In their first two seasons they only managed a total of three. Coached by New Zealand great Tana Umaga, they have taken the scalps of the defending champion Blues for the first time, as well as victories over the Hurricanes, Waratahs, Crusaders, the Highlanders and the Fijian Drua. That win-record makes the season already a success, according to retired Wallabies great Kepu, who led the team in their first season in 2022. "From year one, where we won one game ... this year, beating a lot more New Zealand teams, there's been improvements every year, and it's already a win in my books," the 39-year-old said. "They've won six games, beat the Blues, it's been massive. "It's just nice to see them start to bear some of that fruit and put pressure on teams and get wins over the teams that they weren't expected to beat and it will continue to grow. Such has been loose forward Savea's contribution that with an unbeatable lead he was declared Super Rugby Pacific player of the season with two rounds to play. Former tighthead Kepu, who played 110 Tests, said 2023 World Player of the Year Savea led by example and made players around him better. "Talking to them, he's inspired a lot of those guys and having him in there has just been special for the group," said Kepu, who was last week announced as an assistant coach for the historic First Nations & Pasifika Invitational XV, who will face the touring Lions in July. "The way he's led the team has been unbelievable and it's been unreal to watch their progress. "The boys, they see a leader, and they follow him and some of those guys I've watched develop - Miracle Fai'ilagi and Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa - they've just been phenomenal as a backrow and they just follow the leader." Whether they play Super Rugby Pacific finals or not, inaugural Moana Pasifika captain Sekope Kepu has declared the season a triumph for the Ardie Savea-led side. Moana play the biggest match in their four-year history when they face Savea's former side, the Hurricanes, in a must-win game on Saturday. They currently hold the sixth and final play-offs spot but could be overtaken by the Blues or the NSW Waratahs. With All Blacks superstar Savea signing on to honour his Samoan heritage, Moana have already banked six wins this season to eclipse their previous win record of four. In their first two seasons they only managed a total of three. Coached by New Zealand great Tana Umaga, they have taken the scalps of the defending champion Blues for the first time, as well as victories over the Hurricanes, Waratahs, Crusaders, the Highlanders and the Fijian Drua. That win-record makes the season already a success, according to retired Wallabies great Kepu, who led the team in their first season in 2022. "From year one, where we won one game ... this year, beating a lot more New Zealand teams, there's been improvements every year, and it's already a win in my books," the 39-year-old said. "They've won six games, beat the Blues, it's been massive. "It's just nice to see them start to bear some of that fruit and put pressure on teams and get wins over the teams that they weren't expected to beat and it will continue to grow. Such has been loose forward Savea's contribution that with an unbeatable lead he was declared Super Rugby Pacific player of the season with two rounds to play. Former tighthead Kepu, who played 110 Tests, said 2023 World Player of the Year Savea led by example and made players around him better. "Talking to them, he's inspired a lot of those guys and having him in there has just been special for the group," said Kepu, who was last week announced as an assistant coach for the historic First Nations & Pasifika Invitational XV, who will face the touring Lions in July. "The way he's led the team has been unbelievable and it's been unreal to watch their progress. "The boys, they see a leader, and they follow him and some of those guys I've watched develop - Miracle Fai'ilagi and Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa - they've just been phenomenal as a backrow and they just follow the leader."
West Australian
6 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Moana Pasifika's rise massive, says Wallabies great
Whether they play Super Rugby Pacific finals or not, inaugural Moana Pasifika captain Sekope Kepu has declared the season a triumph for the Ardie Savea-led side. Moana play the biggest match in their four-year history when they face Savea's former side, the Hurricanes, in a must-win game on Saturday. They currently hold the sixth and final play-offs spot but could be overtaken by the Blues or the NSW Waratahs. With All Blacks superstar Savea signing on to honour his Samoan heritage, Moana have already banked six wins this season to eclipse their previous win record of four. In their first two seasons they only managed a total of three. Coached by New Zealand great Tana Umaga, they have taken the scalps of the defending champion Blues for the first time, as well as victories over the Hurricanes, Waratahs, Crusaders, the Highlanders and the Fijian Drua. That win-record makes the season already a success, according to retired Wallabies great Kepu, who led the team in their first season in 2022. "From year one, where we won one game ... this year, beating a lot more New Zealand teams, there's been improvements every year, and it's already a win in my books," the 39-year-old said. "They've won six games, beat the Blues, it's been massive. "It's just nice to see them start to bear some of that fruit and put pressure on teams and get wins over the teams that they weren't expected to beat and it will continue to grow. Such has been loose forward Savea's contribution that with an unbeatable lead he was declared Super Rugby Pacific player of the season with two rounds to play. Former tighthead Kepu, who played 110 Tests, said 2023 World Player of the Year Savea led by example and made players around him better. "Talking to them, he's inspired a lot of those guys and having him in there has just been special for the group," said Kepu, who was last week announced as an assistant coach for the historic First Nations & Pasifika Invitational XV, who will face the touring Lions in July. "The way he's led the team has been unbelievable and it's been unreal to watch their progress. "The boys, they see a leader, and they follow him and some of those guys I've watched develop - Miracle Fai'ilagi and Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa - they've just been phenomenal as a backrow and they just follow the leader."
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Moana Pasifika's rise massive, says Wallabies great
Whether they play Super Rugby Pacific finals or not, inaugural Moana Pasifika captain Sekope Kepu has declared the season a triumph for the Ardie Savea-led side. Moana play the biggest match in their four-year history when they face Savea's former side, the Hurricanes, in a must-win game on Saturday. They currently hold the sixth and final play-offs spot but could be overtaken by the Blues or the NSW Waratahs. With All Blacks superstar Savea signing on to honour his Samoan heritage, Moana have already banked six wins this season to eclipse their previous win record of four. In their first two seasons they only managed a total of three. Coached by New Zealand great Tana Umaga, they have taken the scalps of the defending champion Blues for the first time, as well as victories over the Hurricanes, Waratahs, Crusaders, the Highlanders and the Fijian Drua. That win-record makes the season already a success, according to retired Wallabies great Kepu, who led the team in their first season in 2022. "From year one, where we won one game ... this year, beating a lot more New Zealand teams, there's been improvements every year, and it's already a win in my books," the 39-year-old said. "They've won six games, beat the Blues, it's been massive. "It's just nice to see them start to bear some of that fruit and put pressure on teams and get wins over the teams that they weren't expected to beat and it will continue to grow. Such has been loose forward Savea's contribution that with an unbeatable lead he was declared Super Rugby Pacific player of the season with two rounds to play. Former tighthead Kepu, who played 110 Tests, said 2023 World Player of the Year Savea led by example and made players around him better. "Talking to them, he's inspired a lot of those guys and having him in there has just been special for the group," said Kepu, who was last week announced as an assistant coach for the historic First Nations & Pasifika Invitational XV, who will face the touring Lions in July. "The way he's led the team has been unbelievable and it's been unreal to watch their progress. "The boys, they see a leader, and they follow him and some of those guys I've watched develop - Miracle Fai'ilagi and Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa - they've just been phenomenal as a backrow and they just follow the leader."
