“TONGAN Thor” is shrinking, but fear not that his massive frame has dipped under 130kg for the first time since he was 13.

Taniela Tupou has never been fitter and the Reds plan to enjoy the immediate benefits from their X-factor prop next weekend at Suncorp Stadium.

His explosive ball-running will be unleashed on the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens but he will also get great value from working hard against different props in five-man scrums.

This is shaping as a breakout season for Tupou, 20, because he knows how hard he has to keep pushing to maximise his natural gifts.

“It was a surprise when I weighed myself,” the affable Tupou said of dropping 5kg in the off-season.

media_camera Taniela Tupou at Reds training, Ballymore. Pic Jono Searle.

“I was a big boy, up to 144kg at one stage, and haven’t been at 129 since I was 13 back in Tonga.

“I love my Tongan food but I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do to be the best player I can which means staying at this weight.

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“I played my first (three) games for the Reds last year and found out I was not fit enough even though I thought I was.”

As one of 10 children, it was never his place to chose the menu in his Tongan village where he devoured high-carb taro at most sittings with chicken and even horse.

The Reds will either start Tupou at tighthead prop this year or use him as a super-sub behind Sam Talakai to sustain the Reds’ strong scrummaging reputation.

Either way, the Reds deserve great credit for not rushing the raw schoolboy who landed from Auckland in late 2014 as a hyped internet sensation for his powerhouse play.

media_camera Stephen Moore and Taniela Tupou will partner Wallabies Stephen Moore in the Reds frontrow. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Head coach Nick Stiles, as forwards boss, has drummed into him the scrummaging skills and professional habits to succeed and given him time to cement them.

“Stilesy is big on being consistent ... it is not about just one good scrum and one impact on the game but repeating them,” Tupou said.

His leg-pumping gallops in his Reds cameos hinted at his capabilities and he was unstoppable for the Brothers club in the Premier Rugby finals.

Being taken on tour with the Wallabies late last season to train and observe as a project player was an eye-popping experience.

“The first few days I was too scared to talk to them,” he said.

“I would walk past them in the hotel and just say “hello Michael Hooper”, “hello David Pocock”.

“Then someone told me I didn’t have to say their two names and just call them by their nickname.”

media_camera Taniela Tupou with a powerful charge. Picture: Jono Searle.

Once the nerves calmed, the learning accelerated with scrum craft passed on by the engine room of Stephen Moore, the Reds recruit, Sekope Kepu, Scott Sio, James Slipper and others.

“It was a crazy experience. Sekope spent a lot of time with me and more than anything it makes you want to be in that Wallabies team yourself one day,” Tupou said.

First up is making a mark for the home side at the Tens against pool B rivals Samoa, the Crusaders and the Blues.

“The Tens is something really different with more space to show what you’ve got with footwork and speed,” Tupou said.

“The boys have all put in a big pre-season. It’s time to play.”

Fellow props Slipper, Talakai and Sef Fa’agase will also be hoping for some respite from the heat with the Reds’ opening clash against the Blues in the middle of the day (12.56pm).

The Reds are expecting plenty from their bigger men by selecting four locks in Wallaby Rob Simmons, strong-running Lukhan Tui, Izack Rodda and Cadeyrn Neville.

Originally published as ‘I haven’t been at 129kg since I was 13’