Ben Tapuai rugby player
Ben Tapuai rugby player

Ben Tapuai

19th Jan 1989 1.80m/100kg Outside Centre

Ben Tapuai, born on 19 January 1989, is an Australian professional rugby player who currently plays for The Sharks in the United Rugby Championship. He hails from Melbourne and has Samoan heritage. Tapuai's primary playing position is centre.

In 2011, Tapuai secured a full-time contract with the Reds, making a significant impact in his debut season. He played 10 out of the Reds' 18 games, and one of his standout moments came during the semi-final when he scored a crucial try in the right-hand corner after receiving a low pass from Quade Cooper. His strong defense, direct running, and accurate left boot earned him recognition as the Reds' Most Improved Player of the Year in 2011. He was also selected for the Australian Barbarians squad, where he impressed in their victory over Canada.

Tapuai made an impressive start to his professional rugby career when he scored a try with his first touch of the ball in his debut match for the Reds in 2009 against the Crusaders in Christchurch. After a season with the Western Force, he was released from his contract a year early to join Bath Rugby in England. Tapuai also represented the Wallabies, earning seven caps.

Following his time at Bath, Tapuai joined Harlequins in 2017. He made 40 appearances for the club, scoring four tries. In the 2018-19 season, he agreed to join Harlequins' Premiership rivals, also called Harlequins, and became a regular starter, accumulating over 1500 playing minutes. He played 30 times for Harlequins in the Premiership, including an appearance off the bench in the high-scoring Premiership final victory against Exeter, which Quins won 40-38.

After a successful season with Harlequins, Tapuai signed a deal to join The Sharks, based in Durban, continuing his rugby career in South Africa.




KG(26/05/2023)

Career

ub Union Bordeaux Begles
Outside Centre
2023 - present
australia Australia
Outside Centre
2012 - 2014
reds Queensland Reds
Outside Centre
2009 - 2015
image World XV
Outside Centre
2015 - 2015
Brisbane City Logo Brisbane City
Outside Centre
western-force Western Force
Outside Centre
2015 - 2016
Perth_Spririt_logo Perth Spirit
Inside Centre
2016 - 2016
bath Bath Rugby
Outside Centre
2016 - 2018
22GMtO5n_400x400 Harlequins
Outside Centre
2018 - 2021
image Sharks
Outside Centre
2021 - 2023
image Natal Sharks
Inside Centre
2022 - 2024