Tue 14 Feb 2017 | 07:19
Taniela Tupou AKA Tongan Thor meets Liam Messam in a collision for the ages

12
Comments

The inaugural Brisbane Global Tens was played over the weekend with many big name teams included, so there were many familiar names, great tries and bone-jarring hits. This one in particular between Taniela Tupou and veteran All Black Liam Messam stood out.

Despite it being a different format, the tournament served as a good warmup for the upcoming 2017 Super Rugby season, which starts next week Thursday.

Young Tupou has made quite the name for himself in recent seasons as he's run over, or through, anything that's decided to get in his way. He is listed at 135kg by the Reds, while Messam is listed with the Chiefs at a "mere" 108kg. 

The affectionately known 'Tongan Thor' got up a full head of steam with this run, but full credit to Messam, who is never one to shy away from the more physical aspects of the game.

Although he didn't quite hold his ground, at no point did he look to be bothered with getting out of the way of the rampaging Tupou. As a result, we had this intense collision, between two incredibly physical players, that may well have been recorded on the Richter Scale.

The collision sent Messam flying backwards, and Tupou stumbling into touch. 

The young tank then lost his cool a little, and has since been suspended for two weeks after he decided to head-butt Messam after the whistle.

Messam later had the last laugh again, as the Chiefs went on to win the inaugural tournament. 

Credit: gorillaSportsShow

12 Comments

  • stroudos
    2:00 PM 16/02/2017

    Tough crowd though isn't it Jimmy?

  • jimmy23
    10:08 AM 16/02/2017

    I thought my Liam Nesson comment was funny too.

    Because, haha, y'know. Both their first names are Liam and their last names sound kinda similar. And they're both hard.

    Haha?

    ....

  • stroudos
    8:57 AM 16/02/2017

    Read my comment with this video playing simultaneously and then tell me it's not funny.

    https://youtu.be/jZOywn1qArI

  • stroudos
    8:54 AM 16/02/2017

    Wow, I was not expecting tumbleweed from that! Jimmy put Liam Nesson, not Messam. Liam Neeson's monologue from Taken seemed to lend itself perfectly to a Tongan Thor parody, no?? Come on, it was a good joke wasn't it?!?

    Well. If you have to explain it, I suppose...

    Honestly. You people.

  • stroudos
    8:20 AM 16/02/2017

    On the contrary, this is EXACTLY the sort of thing I want to see people suspended for.

  • drg
    9:10 PM 15/02/2017

    I'd agree I guess, a suspension or a red card for that is ridiculous, that's my first and foremost thought, but then he is a young guy and that sort of action has been unacceptable since before he started pro playing...

  • reality
    7:30 PM 15/02/2017

    Some will say that it's ridiculous that he was suspended for something so unimportant. I'd be more inclined to say that it's ridiculous how stupid the guy must be to get himself suspended for something so unimportant.

  • drg
    2:50 PM 15/02/2017

    Just read description... Silly boy

  • drg
    2:50 PM 15/02/2017

    Wow, not really sure what I'm more impressed by, the fact that Messam was sent flying, the fact Messam stayed on his feet, the fact that Taniela did that to Messam, or the fact that it didn't really do much to Messam?!?!

    It was like a massive event that was also a non event...

    Sad to see the "headbutt" thing afterwards though, what a prat, was he sanctioned for it at all?

  • jeri
    2:50 PM 15/02/2017

    Should've quit while he was ahead. If he didn't headbutt him, he could've walked away with bragging rights over sending Messam flying

  • jimmy23
    10:44 AM 15/02/2017

    Jesus. It's not everyday you see that happen to Liam Nesson.

  • stroudos
    7:48 AM 15/02/2017

    Got to love the Aussie commentators - main guy here sounds a lot like Sean Maloney doesn't he?
    Aaaaaaaaand Kabaaang!!
    Have. Some. Of. THIS!

    Also, did Liam Messam get an arm around him?? Of course he bloody didn't! But is it even physically possible to get an arm around someone when you're being propelled backwards in mid-air!?

    Unfortunate that young Taniela decided to be a dick about it. Hopefully he'll learn soon enough, that a beast like him just doesn't need to get involved in that sort of nonsense.