Taniela Tupou is willing to extend his stay with Australia and all but guarantee his participation in the 2027 Rugby World Cup —but he wants to get paid first.
Already the highest-paid prop in the country, the 'Tongan Thor' has unsurprisingly been courted by teams from Europe who are eager to secure the services of the 135-kilogram colossus.
It's understood clubs in France and England would be willing to pay Tupou more than AU$1million (£530,000) a year to join their ranks, with tighthead prop being one of the game's most lucrative positions.
The 25-year-old is set to rake in around that sum next year on his scaling contract, although it remains uncertain as to what lies in store after that, with his deal set to expire after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Tupou was ambiguous about his future when quizzed about his next step, taking influence from Jerry Maguire as he opined his major motivation is to be properly remunerated for his services.
“Depends. Show me the money," he said at the launch of the Vintage Reds XV v Tonga Invitational XV charity match at Suncorp Stadium on February 19.
"I’m joking. I’m not joking, though. Come on [Wallabies head coach Dave] Rennie."
The Queensland Reds forward is considered a potential face of the team moving forward, one of the leading players in his position and an increasingly impressive component in the Wallabies set-up.
Despite his massive size, Tupou has made a habit in exhibiting sublime skills with ball in hand and was a prominent player as the team finished second at last year's Rugby Championship.
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The Sydney Morning Herald reported Rugby Australia is constructing a 'multi-year flexible offer' for their prop, whom they consider an important member of the squad building towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Australia are the current front-runners to host that tournament in five years' time, and having a talent like Tupou on board would certainly serve as a boost to morale.
Tupou has had chances to jump ship and earn greater sums abroad in the past, but he doesn't regret his decision to remain in Queensland.
“I’ve loved it. I’m so grateful for the Reds,” he said. “They trust me...and I gave my all every year.
“I can’t picture being anywhere else.
“I’ve got this year and next year. I’ll do everything I can to help this team win, but we’ll see how we go after that.”
It's become increasingly common in recent years for players in the southern hemisphere to leave Super Rugby and venture abroad in order to earn much greater sums.
However, it's understood Rugby Australia's offer would include an option for Tupou to take a sabbatical in Japan, potentially scratching that itch in regards to playing overseas.
Although Australia have softened their rules in relation to selecting players based outside the country in recent years, it's likely 38-cap Tupou would be omitted from future plans if he left for Europe.
“He’s very important to the continued success of the team and I know he’s an integral part of Dave’s plans beyond 2023. At the right time we’ll be engaging with him and working with the Reds around that,” said Rugby Australia chief executive Andy Marinos.
“When you look at these marquee players of ours, we have to think creatively and a guy like Taniela is not too dissimilar to Hoops [Hooper]. He gets through a huge amount of game time, especially for a tight-head, and if you want to preserve and manage him you have to think creatively about how you can do that while still retaining his services going forward.”
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper is currently the team's highest-paid player on AU$1.2million (£635,000) per year, and it's understood any new contract for Tupou could come close to matching that figure.
