Rugby Championship 2019: Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou attacked in South Africa

Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou with a team doctor.
Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou with a team doctor. Photo credit: AAP

Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou has suffered minor cuts to his arm, after having his phone snatched in Johannesburg, South Africa.  

Tupou was walking back to the team hotel in upmarket Sandton with eight other Wallaby front-rowers about 9.15pm on Saturday, after a group dinner nearby, when a man grabbed his phone.  

He suffered the cuts, as he tried to grab the phone back, after the man had run and climbed into a waiting car.   

"Someone just came up behind me and took my phone," said Tupou.   

"I thought it was one of the boys, so I looked back. He was wearing a hoodie and ran with my phone.     

"I tried to chase him and he got in the car.           

"I got injured with a cut, but I am fine. I lost my phone, but I can live with that."  

Rugby Australia says local police took statements from all of the players and they believe it was part of a series of incidents that night.          

The Wallabies are preparing to start the World Cup season with their Rugby Championship-opening match against South Africa on Sunday (NZT) at Ellis Park. 

AAP

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