Wallabies without Tupou for sell-out Bok clash

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The Wallabies are set to be without star tighthead prop Taniela Tupou for the Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

Tupou, who recently sealed a move to the Waratahs from the now-defunct Melbourne Rebels, is set to be left out of Joe Schmidt’s matchday-23.

The 28-year-old’s absence is not owing to an injury, but rather an off-field personal issue, according to a report by ESPN.

Instead, Allan Alaalatoa will retain his starting place at tighthead prop and will also captain the Wallabies. He will be partnered in the scrum by 24-year-old Test rookie Isaac Kailea, who made his Wallabies debut in the series against Wales.

The Wallabies have confirmed that tickets for Saturday’s clash in Brisbane – where the Wallabies have not lost to the Springboks since 2013 – are sold out, with over 50,000 fans expected to be in attendance.

It is the first time that Suncorp Stadium will be packed to capacity for a Wallabies Test match since the 2013 British & Irish Lions series.

Photo: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

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