Blake Schoupp out to upstage Tahs mentor for Brumbies

Blake Schoupp was handed the opportunity of a lifetime when assistant coach Dan Palmer approached him with a job.

He’s now aiming to upstage the NSW Waratahs’ attacking mentor when his Brumbies take on their bitter rivals on Friday night at GIO Stadium.

Schoupp inked a three-year deal on Thursday, which will see the prop stay in Canberra until 2029 after originally signing ahead of the 2023 season.

But the NSW local wants to put the cherry on top of his birthday week by beating the Waratahs and his former mentor.

“They have a good forward pack. Dan Palmer, who originally gave me my shot down here in Canberra, coaches them well,” Schoupp said.

“Scrum time is going to be a battle, and I’m up for the challenge.”

Since leaving the Brumbies for England in May 2023, Palmer has returned to the Super Rugby Pacific with the Waratahs.

“There’s definitely a lot of rivalry there for multiple reasons … Bernie (coach Stephen Larkham) alluded to it the other day that there’s a lot of history between the players and where they come from,” Schoupp said.

“It’ll be my first time stepping out on GIO Stadium against the Tahs.”

The 27-year-old is expecting anything to happen in the grudge match, especially as the Brumbies have grinded out close victories in recent weeks.

Last Friday’s 33-24 comeback win against the Chiefs underlined their ability to win tight games, and Schoupp is looking forward to playing a part when he comes off the bench.

“Last week we were down by 17 points and when we got on the field all we needed to do was create opportunities for ourselves,” he said.

“The combination that we have coming off the bench is great. Everyone knows their role and we’ve been able to execute in tight games.”

Schoupp added he couldn’t have imagined inking a new contract after the five-cap Wallaby who featured for the national team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup ruptured his Achilles last year.

“I learned a lot mentally being away from the game for so long. What that does is make you more grateful for when you get to step onto the field,” the prop said.

“I just want to be known as someone who’s passionate, enjoys their footy and doesn’t think too far ahead.”

The Brumbies welcome back winger Ollie Sapsford, lock Lachie Shaw and inside centre David Feliuai as they aim to bank a fifth win before their bye next week.

The Waratahs will be looking to shake off last Saturday’s disappointing 35-20 loss to the Blues, with winger Andrew Kellaway returning from injury to take the place of Harry Potter (quad).