New PBs and all-time records: Quinn Tupaea raises the bar after injury layoff
All Blacks and Chiefs midfielder Quinn Tupaea is set to return from a disastrous knee injury looking bigger, better and stronger after raising the bar with some personal bests in pre-season.
Tupaea, 24, is set to return to regular season action for the first time in a couple of years after suffering been struck down with the injury during a Bledisloe Cup test in 2022.
The rising star was struck down by an illegal cleanout from Australia lock Darcy Swain during the All Blacks’ stunning last-minute win over the Wallabies at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.
But after a lengthy stint on the sidelines, and after playing in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship with Waikato last season, Tupaea is raring to go for the Chiefs.
Tupaea has reportedly set some personal bests both in the gruelling fitness Bronco and in the weight room. The 14-Test All Black has broken the Chiefs midfielders’ all-time records for squats and pull-ups.
The returning New Zealand international, as reported by Stuff, also set the record for the midfielders’ bench press during his time on the sidelines. But Tupaea has remained coy about specific times and figures.
“I’m pretty excited to be back playing this year, it’s a lot different to last season,” Tupaea told Stuff. “I’m feeling pretty fit, and it’s been a hard, hot pre-season, so the body’s in a good spot and I’m ready to rip in.
“I’ve got a few records in there now, so I’m pretty happy,” he mentioned about the gym. “Nah, we’ll keep that under wraps.”
Tupaea has been named as one of four midfielders in the Chiefs’ squad for 2024 along with All Black Anton Lienert-Brown, Gideon Wrampling and Rameka Poihipi.
The Chiefs are coming off a largely successful pre-season which saw the Hamilton-based side win two matches from as many stats in Japan before returning to New Zealand.
But it all matters now with the regular season about to get underway. While Tupaea is in the frame to return against the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Pacific season opener on Friday, the All Black said it’s “going to be a battle” just to start for the Chiefs.
“Obviously pretty keen to be back in that All Blacks mix,” Tupaea said. “That’s a goal of mine and a place I want to get back to.
“But the midfield here’s pretty hotly contested, so it’s going to be a battle every week to start, and even be in the 23.”
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Yes for sure, thanks for sharing. I fully understand that both parties are better off, no one needs to lose, neither competition suffers, in fact both can be better as a result.
Too many true rugby fans (and analysts) don't understand that.
I wouldn't imagine there is a date aye. It was a long decline rugby in SA and Australia was going through, and was so bad it even effected NZ, caused them to argue to can a couple of teams. The nation of SA probably grew into it? I know I watch more of the NH now specifically because of the SR teams playing there. I actually had to mention to Nick Bishop (because of his stubborn perspective) the other day that I've never been a fan of Super Rugby, I don't think they chose the right way to go about professionalism back in 1995. Unfortunately, NZR was stuck between a rock and a hard place, because it had SA's and Australians that ran their unions by States, so we had to separate into "two or three" teams as a result. Our game is in the kak now because of it, they want to kill off the lifeblood of our National Provincial Championship. But now we might see a way out of it, so it's all good.
Go to commentsOh, so the Boks going back to half way means they definitely scored?
Don’t make me laugh…..
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