Jimmy Tupou

Jimmy Tupou (born 8 August 1992) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a lock or loose forward for the Counties Manukau Steelers in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the Blues in the international Super Rugby competition.

Born in Auckland, Tupou attended Pukekohe High School where he initially played rugby league before finally trying his hand at union in his senior year. He was quickly fast-tracked into the Counties Manukau Under-18 side and later played a key role in helping his club side, Patumahoe lift the McNamara Cup, the senior premier club title in Counties Manukau, in 2012.

Coming off the back of impressive performances for New Zealand at Under-20 level, Tupou made the Counties Manukau squad for the 2012 ITM Cup. Despite having just turned 20 before the tournament started, he instantly became a regular starter for the Steelers, playing 9 times and scoring 1 try as the men from Pukekohe lifted the Championship trophy and earned promotion to the Premiership for 2013.

He continued to excel at Premiership level, playing 9 times in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and later being named co-captain for the 2016 season. Being one of the senior players in an inexperienced line up he performed admirably, starting 10 of the Steelers 11 games during a campaign which took them to the Premiership semi-finals before they succumbed to eventual winners Canterbury.

Strong performances in his debut season at provincial level with Counties Manukau saw him named in the Crusaders squad ahead of the 2013 Super Rugby season. In a star-studded squad featuring the likes of Richie McCaw and Kieran Read in the loose forward department, Tupou's rookie season at Super Rugby level was limited to just 2 substitute appearances. However, over the following 3 seasons spent in Canterbury, he became a regular in the 23 man squad. With his appearances generally restricted to that of a second-half substitute, he turned out 12, 11 and 12 times across the 2014, 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Looking for more game time, he agreed a move north to join the Auckland based Blues ahead of the 2017 Super Rugby season.

Tupou was a member of the New Zealand Under 20 team that finished as runner-up in the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa. He scored 1 try in 4 appearances at the tournament.

Counties Manukau

• ITM Cup Championship - 2012