When players miss extended periods of time with injury, most get that itch to return. Taniela Tupou wasn't one of them.
Tupou missed the end of the Super Rugby Pacific season and last week's thrilling victory with a calf injury.
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The 26-year-old has been an explosive yet reliable figure across the past couple of years for club and country.
However, COVID and the nature of the International schedule meant Tupou hardly had a break from Rugby as he established himself as one of the best tightheads in the world.
The calf injury gave him that chance to step back from the game and spend time with friends and family.
Tupou reflected on what this did to him mentally and emotionally, now excited to return after conceding he had once considered 'something different.'
“It might be unfair to say but I’ve actually enjoyed these last few weeks being off and not playing,” an open and honest Tupou told reporters. “Would’ve loved to play last week and the last few games for the Reds but I didn’t miss it one bit. I enjoyed being off the field and not having to be ready to play.
“I’ve played a lot of games in the last few years that I didn’t want to…I’m ready to play now, when I was injured I was like ‘I didn’t miss and don’t want to play’ but I’ve done a lot of work with a lot of the guys and I’m in a good space."
When asked whether it was the best thing for his career, Tupou had little doubt.
"I think being injured was the best thing that ever happened to me mentally and physically," he explained. "I was ready for something different and then happened, staying away from footy and spending time with the missus and the family.
"I’m ready to play again and I’m excited to get up there...I think I’m ready to go and have a bit of fun out there."
Tupou enters camp with a greater perspective on life after the birth of his aon Nella late Friday.
Whilst that meant he didn't get much sleep and a chance to watch last week's heroics, it has Tupou re-evaluating why he plays the game.
“It’s been good. It’s a crazy, crazy experience,” Tupou said.
“I haven’t had much sleep but I’m enjoying it. I told her yesterday ‘look, I have to sleep in camp for the next few days to prepare well’ so looking forward to it.
“It hasn’t hit me yet…It’s only been a couple of days so maybe it’ll hit me in a couple of weeks but at the moment I’m definitely going out there and thinking of them this weekend.
“It’s not really about myself anymore. There’s someone else to provide for."
“I think when you become a father you’re playing for something bigger than yourself and you become less selfish, so that’s cool," his coach Dave Rennie added.
