Tupou suffers calf problem to add to Australia's injury crisis

Australia face prop injury crisis with star Taniela Tupou – who is also the face of the marketing campaign – set to miss Saturday’s Test series opener with England in Perth due to calf issue

  • Australia coach Dave Rennie has a prop injury crisis ahead of England opener 
  • Taniela Tupou is set to be absent for the clash after suffering a calf injury 
  • Harry Johnson-Holmes has a serious Achilles problem and will also be absent 

Taniela Tupou’s calf problem means Australia head coach Dave Rennie is facing up to a prop injury crisis ahead of his team’s Test series opener with England.

Juggernaut forward Tupou – the face of Australia’s marketing campaign for their series with Eddie Jones’ side – is set to miss Saturday’s clash in Perth.

In a further blow to Rennie, another of his tighthead props in Harry Johnson-Holmes suffered a serious Achilles injury in training and won’t face England.

Taniela Tupou has suffered a calf problem to add to Australia’s injury problems

Another prop, Harry Johnson-Holmes, has been ruled out because of a serious Achilles issue

Australia have called up prop Sam Talakai and fellow forward Ned Hanigan as injury cover.

Stan Sports, the host broadcaster for the Australia and England series, filmed an advert with Tupou of the giant front row crashing an English tea party.

His likely absence from the first Test is both a blow to Australia’s on-field bid and their marketing plan as they still try to sell tickets for the Optus Stadium clash.

Australia coach Dave Rennie has some difficult issues to contend with regarding his props

Tupou first suffered his calf injury in May and has been in a race against time to be fit for the England series.

It looks like the first Test will come too soon in what is a boost to England head coach Jones.

Waratahs forward Jed Holloway is also suffering with the same injury as Tupou, hence Hanigan’s call-up.




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