Melbourne Rebels prop Taniela Tupou will bring up his 100th Super Rugby game as the Rebels prepare for a tough task in Fiji against the Drua.
Tupou will bring up the mark as he returns to the starting side after avoiding suspension following his citing out of last week's Brumbies defeat.
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Rebels GM Nick Stiles brought the powerhouse prop into Super Rugby with the Reds, marvelling at his transformation into one of the best tight-heads in the world.
“I couldn’t be prouder of Taniela," Stiles told the media. "I was there when he first came along from New Zealand and he could barely speak a word of English, it was his second language, and he was thrown into a professional sporting environment as a tight head prop where he probably handy even practice scrummaging.
“He didn’t know where tighthead was back in the day so to see him evolve into 100 game Super Rugby world-class tighthead, it’s a credit to him.
“I think what gets lost with Taniela is everyone looks at how big, physical and powerful he is but sometimes you take for granted how naturally gifted he is
“What I was able to see was a young boy who came across and work so hard to get as good as he can as a player on and off the field.
“It’s been an honour to see that journey and very proud of him when he takes the field come Saturday against the Drua.”
The Rebels have taken a strong squad to Lautoka even with their place in the quarter-finals secured.
Carter Gordon returns after his concussion, with brother Mason making his first start at fullback.
"I think Australian teams can be really guilty of bringing these young tens and blood them in quickly and burn them so they leave the system," Stiles explained.
“I think Mason is a very talented footballer and for me, bringing able to bring him in as a 15 takes a little bit of that playmaking pressure off and allow him to play football.
“We’ve seen a couple of opportunities that he’s got this season and he’s grown each time he’s gone out there. He thoroughly deserves a starting position and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do from 15.
“It could be a position that he plays for a couple of years and builds these technical abilities and game management to build forward into ten and be a long-serving flyhalf for us in Australian Rugby."
The Rebels sit in seventh position, with a win potentially leaping them into sixth whilst a loss to the Drua could see them slip to eighth.
REBELS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Jordan Uelese, Taniela Tupou, Angelo Smith, Josh Canham, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin, Rob Leota (c), Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Darby Lancaster, David Feiluai, Filipo Daugunu, Andrew Kellaway, Mason Gordon
RESERVES: Ethan Dobbins, Matt Gibbon, Sam Talakai, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Maciu Nabolakasi, James Tuttle, David Vaihu, Jake Strachan
