Episode Twenty Four : Ben Tapuai - Tails of a Wallaby

Reel Tails with Sweens - Podcast By Dwayne Sweeney

Benny RTS.jpg — **Episode Twenty Four :**

This episode I catch up with Ben Tapuai. Ben is someone I met through rugby when we played together for the Barbarians back in 2015.
Ben has a very impressive professional rugby CV, representing the Queensland Reds and Western Force in Super Rugby, Bath and Harlequins in the UK Premiership and also represented Australia when he was a member of the Wallabies from 2011-2013. During that time he won a Super Rugby title with the Reds and just this year a UK Premiership with Harlequins.
During this podcast we discuss what it was like to win those titles, to represent the Wallabies, living away from family and having his first child during a global pandemic.
We also discuss the friendships that rugby has formed, growing up in Australia with his Samoan Culture, winning a club title with his brother, his decision to head to South Africa and play for the Sharks, developing through the Australian rugby system and so much more.
@benny_taps

Listen now on your favourite platform

Show Notes:

2:06 - Introduction, how we met and becoming a Wallaby

.

6:19 - We share our experiences of playing against the British & Irish Lions

.

14:52 - Growing up in Australia with his Samoan culture, the shock of moving away from family to attend boarding school

.

34:02 - Our experience with the Barbarians and the friendships we created

.

47:15 - The Australian rugby system and rugby having to compete with other big sports professionally

.

1:05:00 - The change in professional sport that has come from social media

.

1:08:56 - Having his first child away from family in the middle of a global pandemic

.

1:23:40 - The road to the 2020/2021 UK Premiership, the importance of a team being on the same page

.

1:43:21 - The transition to UK rugby and how he adapted

.

1:51:18 - The upcoming move to South Africa and how he also became a Mooloo, the insecurity of rugby as a profession and the pressures that come with that, his original decision to leave Australia

.

2:04:03 - The childhood friends that came along on the professional journey, the importance of how we talk to people and how we process criticism

.

2:16:14 - Winning a club title with his brother Rex and what that meant

.

2:23:06 - Final thoughts

Episode Twenty Four : Ben Tapuai - Tails of a Wallaby

Listen now on your favourite platform

Show Notes:

2:06 - Introduction, how we met and becoming a Wallaby

.

6:19 - We share our experiences of playing against the British & Irish Lions

.

14:52 - Growing up in Australia with his Samoan culture, the shock of moving away from family to attend boarding school

.

34:02 - Our experience with the Barbarians and the friendships we created

.

47:15 - The Australian rugby system and rugby having to compete with other big sports professionally

.

1:05:00 - The change in professional sport that has come from social media

.

1:08:56 - Having his first child away from family in the middle of a global pandemic

.

1:23:40 - The road to the 2020/2021 UK Premiership, the importance of a team being on the same page

.

1:43:21 - The transition to UK rugby and how he adapted

.

1:51:18 - The upcoming move to South Africa and how he also became a Mooloo, the insecurity of rugby as a profession and the pressures that come with that, his original decision to leave Australia

.

2:04:03 - The childhood friends that came along on the professional journey, the importance of how we talk to people and how we process criticism

.

2:16:14 - Winning a club title with his brother Rex and what that meant

.

2:23:06 - Final thoughts

Episode Twenty Five : BJ Watling - He’s a Keeper

Episode Twenty Three : Brendon McCullum - Touching Greatness