Jimmy Tupou

Jimmy Tupou (born 8 August 1992) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a lock or loose forward for the Counties Manukau Steelers in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the Blues in the international Super Rugby competition.[1][2][3]

Jimmy Tupou
Date of birth (1992-08-08) 8 August 1992
Place of birthAuckland, New Zealand
Height1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Weight111 kg (17 st 7 lb; 245 lb)
SchoolPukekohe Highschool
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock / loose forward
Current team NTT Shining Arcs
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012–2017 Counties Manukau 54 (27)
2013–16 Crusaders 37 (5)
2017–2018 Blues 16 (5)
2020– NTT Shining Arcs 7 (0)
Correct as of 21 February 2021
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012 New Zealand U20 4 (5)
Correct as of 5 June 2018

Early career

Born in Auckland, Tupou attended Pukekohe High School where he initially played rugby league before finally trying his hand at union in his senior year. He was quickly fast-tracked into the Counties Manukau Under-18 side and later played a key role in helping his club side, Patumahoe lift the McNamara Cup, the senior premier club title in Counties Manukau, in 2012.[3][4]

Senior career

Coming off the back of impressive performances for New Zealand at Under-20 level, Tupou made the Counties Manukau squad for the 2012 ITM Cup. Despite having just turned 20 before the tournament started, he instantly became a regular starter for the Steelers, playing nine times and scoring one try as the men from Pukekohe lifted the Championship trophy and earned promotion to the Premiership for 2013.

He continued to excel at Premiership level, playing nine times in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and later being named co-captain for the 2016 season. Being one of the senior players in an inexperienced line up he performed admirably, starting 10 of the Steelers' 11 games during a campaign which took them to the Premiership semi-finals before they succumbed to eventual winners Canterbury.[5]

Super Rugby

Strong performances in his debut season at provincial level with Counties Manukau saw him named in the Crusaders squad ahead of the 2013 Super Rugby season.[6] In a star-studded squad featuring the likes of Richie McCaw and Kieran Read in the loose forward department, Tupou's rookie season at Super Rugby level was limited to just two substitute appearances. However, over the following three seasons spent in Canterbury, he became a regular in the 23 man squad. With his appearances generally restricted to that of a second-half substitute, he turned out 12, 11 and 12 times across the 2014, 2015 and 2016 seasons.[5]

Looking for more game time, he agreed a move north to join the Auckland-based Blues ahead of the 2017 Super Rugby season.[7]

International

Tupou was a member of the New Zealand Under 20 team that finished as runner-up in the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa. He scored one try in four appearances at the tournament.[8][9]

Career honours

Counties Manukau

Super Rugby statistics
As of 27 November 2016[5]
SeasonTeamGamesStartsSubMinsTriesConsPensDropsPointsYelRed
2013Crusaders202530000000
2014Crusaders121112390000000
2015Crusaders11292940000000
2016Crusaders12484341000500
Total3773010201000500

References
  1. "Jimmy Tupou Counties Manukau profile". Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  2. "Blues 2017 Squad Guide" (PDF). All Blacks.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 March 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  3. "Jimmy Tupou Blues Player Profile". Blues Rugby. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  4. "Jimmy Sanzar Rugby Player Profile". Sanzar Rugby. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  5. "Jimmy Tupou it's rugby Player Statistics". It's Rugby. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  6. "Friction over Super Rugby backdoor deals". Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  7. "Blues sign Jimmy Tupou and prop Alex Hodgman from Crusaders". Rugby Heaven. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  8. "Jimmy Tupou New Zealand U20 profile". All Blacks.com. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  9. "2012 New Zealand Under 20 squad named". All Blacks.com. 29 April 2012. Archived from the original on 13 August 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
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