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Chiefs head coach apologises to midfielder on 50th appearance
By Henry Lee at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
The 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign couldn’t have got off to a better start for Clayton McMillan and the Chiefs, beating last year’s champions the Blues last weekend in Auckland, before racking up a record victory against the Crusaders in Hamilton.
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It was a special game at FMG Stadium Waikato for Chiefs midfielder Quinn Tupaea, who has worked his way to 50 appearances for the Chiefs in Super Rugby, after making his debut in 2020.
Tupaea has had injury issues over the years, including a serious knee injury that kept him out of the whole 2023 Super Rugby season.
The Chiefs midfielder was on the end of a horrific cleanout by Wallabies lock Darcy Swain in September 2022, which kept Tupaea out of action for a considerable length of time.
McMillan praised Tupaea’s effort and skill, saying the midfielder has worked incredibly hard to reach this milestone.
“Yeah, he’s awesome. He’s a real warrior. And he hasn’t got to 50 easily, he’s been in the environment, but he had his fair share of injuries, and it’s taken a little while but in the first two weeks this season, he’s been immense,” McMillan told media after the game.
McMillan admits he’s going to apologise to Tupaea, who was on the bench for his 50th appearance.
“I’m going to apologise to him now for putting him on the bench. But yesterday I did say to him that he was going to have a big impact one way or another on the game.”
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The 25-year-old was injected into the game after starting second-five Rameka Poihipi went down injured early in the first half, giving Tupaea more minutes than he would’ve expected.
Tupaea was electric from his first touch of the game, scoring two tries late in the second half to put the game to bed for the Chiefs.
His first try was on the back of a brilliant breakaway from loose forward Simon Parker, who shuffled the ball to Tupaea to score under the posts.
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Tupaea’s second was on the back of scintillating play from the Chiefs, before Tupaea found himself with acres of space on the wing with just Will Jordan to beat on the outside.
McMillan praised Tupaea’s two performances so far this season and believes that he’s doing as much as he can at the moment for the Chiefs.
“He’s aspirational, but all he can do is keep knocking the front door down and saying, Hey, I’m here, and he looks confident.”
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