Tupou eyes Kiwi return

Bradford winger wants to get back into the New Zealand team.

Last updated: 23rd January 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Tupou eyes Kiwi return

Tupou: International doubts

I can only say so much and apologise for what happened but I have to go out and play to my best if I'm going to play for the Kiwis again.

Tame Tupou
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Bradford Bulls winger Tame Tupou has vowed to make up for a drunken escapade and play his way back into contention for New Zealand's World Cup squad.

The 25-year-old Kiwi was sent home from his side's shocking tour last year just before the openeing Test against France, which followed a series whitewash in Great Britain.

The former Brisbane Broncos man had a run-in with hotel staff after a drunken night out which led to Tupou being banished from the camp, leaving his international future in jeopardy.

"It wasn't a laid-back hotel like the one we'd had in England and a lot of things happened the night before," Tupou told the Bradford Telegraph & Argus.

"The hotel were going to kick out the entire squad because they didn't like the noise we were making.

"The staff there really wanted us to be quiet and didn't like us playing our ghetto-blasters, having a laugh or passing the ball around in the lobby.

"We had the following day off and, after a few drinks that night, the nightwatchman told us to shut up. I told him to quiet down and things got out of hand."

Tupou admits his international future is now up in the air, but hopes producing some form on the pitch can help play his way back into the squad.

"I'm not sure where I stand but the only way I can come back is through my form on the field," he said.

"I can only say so much and apologise for what happened but I have to go out and play to my best if I'm going to play for the Kiwis again."