Ahead of his return to French club Racing 92, Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou hopes to remain in the squad beyond Sunday's Test against the Springboks.
Tupou has enjoyed a prolonged stint in the Test squad in 2026 thanks to World Rugby's regulation nine laws around player eligibility.
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The tighthead prop will return to France next week and miss the Bledisloe Cup series, with the Top 14 season already a month into its regular season.
He can return for the Nations Championship Tests in November, with Tupou embracing the opportunity in front of him right now.
"I didn't think I was going to be back here around this time of the year," he told reporters.
"My focus was really just playing well for Racing and then Joe [Schmidt, then-Wallabies coach] called me a few months ago and asked if I was keen to come back and play for the Wallabies.
"I always put my hands up to represent Australia; hopefully, this isn't the last time...I haven't spoken to Les about what the future looks like, and I'm hoping I'll see the team in the UK."
Tupou was ready for the challenge the world champion Springboks possess, especially up front.
Front-rowers Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit were all named in World Rugby's 2025 Team of the Year.
"We've been working hard, and we know what's coming," Tupou said.
"We all know that they're the best in the world around set pieces and scrums, so I think it's a good challenge for us to see where we are as a group, so we're looking forward to it."
"Their scrum's been a weapon of theirs for a number of years now," assistant coach Tom Donnelly added.
"They're pretty big humans but their technique [is excellent] and they're all scrummaging together as an eight. Massive challenge for us as a forward pack this weekend around the set-piece, scrum and maul."
