Ben Tapuai
Centre
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Profile
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Height:
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180cm
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Weight:
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95kg
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Date Of Birth:
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19/01/1989
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Place of Birth:
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Brisbane
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Rugby Career
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Senior Club:
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Sunnybank
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Stats
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Provincial Rugby Caps:
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35
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Provincial Rugby Points:
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35 (7t)
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Provincial Rugby Debut:
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2009 v Crusaders, Christchurch
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Super Rugby Caps:
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35
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Super Rugby Points:
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35 (7t)
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Super Rugby Debut:
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2009 v Crusaders, Christchurch
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Test Rugby Caps:
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7
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Test Rugby Debut:
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2011 v Wales, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
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Centre Ben Tapuai commenced the 2012 Super Rugby season as the St.George Queensland Reds most consistent performer with his star performances critical in the team’s perfect three-match stretch to begin the season.
In this period Ben’s performance in round two against the Western Force was a clear highlight as he kick-started the point scoring for the Reds when he tiptoed down the sideline to beat numerous defenders for the opening try.
This form continued during the opening eight matches of the season before a colossal hit from Stormers centre Juan De Jough in round nine left the hard-running centre sidelined with a fractured collarbone, halting his impressive form for 10 weeks before returning to the bench following the June Test window.
It was a big blow for the Reds but he continued his form in the later stages of the Super Rugby season to earn selection in the Wallabies Rugby Championship squad, adding to the experience he gained from his debut game for the Wallabies, earned during their end-of-season tour to the United Kingdom and Wales in 2011.
At the conclusion of the 2012 Super Rugby season, Ben also played an instrumental role in Queensland Premier Rugby, enjoying a strong combination with brother Rex Tapuai and taking a leadership role in Sunnybank’s quest for back-to-back Hospital Cup titles, which ended in a grand-final loss to University.
In his first year with a fulltime Reds contract during 2011, Ben played 10 of the Reds 18 games during the Championship season, highlighted by a defining moment in the semi-final when he snared a low pass from Quade Cooper to score a momentum-changing try in the right-hand corner.
Such was the remarkable rise of Ben that his stiff defence, straight ball running and accurate left boot were recognised through winning the Reds 2011 Most Improved Player of the Year Award before he was rewarded with selection in the Australian Barbarians squad, where he impressed in their victory over Canada.
Ben enjoyed a magical start to his professional Rugby career when, in his debut for the Reds in 2009 off the bench against the Crusaders in Christchurch, he scored a try with his first touch of the ball.
In other major honours, Ben has represented The Australian Schoolboys while he regards his selection in the 2005 World Rugby Youth Invitational Tournament in Japan as one of his more memorable experiences.
He was also a member of the Australian U20 team at the inaugural IRB Junior World Championships in Japan, while he represented his country previously at Under 20s level in 2008.
DID YOU KNOW?
Ben Tapuai is an official Pacific in Union program Ambassador and along with Digby Ioane visited Samoa in Easter of 2012.
***Updated 14/05/2013***