Ben Tapuai

Ben Tapuai (born 19 January 1989) is an Australian professional rugby union playerwho currently plays for Bordeaux Bègles in the French competition Top 14. Tapuai grew up in Melbourne and is of Samoan heritage. His playing position is centre.

Early career In 2005 Tapuai was part of the World Rugby Youth Invitational Tournament in Japan. and Tapuai was selected at inside centre (No.12) ahead of fellow Queensland representative James O'Connor. and played in the 2008 IRB Junior World Championship in Wales.

In 2011, under a full contract he played in 10 of the Reds 18 games, and formed a strong combination with Wallaby centre Anthony Fainga'a. in Australia's 60–11 win against the Barbarians at Twickenham. This was a non-cap match, and he went on as a replacement for Berrick Barnes. A week later he made his test debut for Australia against Wales, in Cardiff, called on to replace Adam Ashley-Cooper.

In 2012 "Tapuai started in the Reds first eight games ... until he sustained a broken collarbone in a tackle by Stormers centre Juan de Jongh in Brisbane." Against the Waratahs, in Round 18, Tapuai left the bench to replace Faingaa in the 78th minute.

In 2012 here was speculation Tapuai would sign with the Melbourne Rebels for 2013.

On 2 November 2016, Tapuai left Western Force to join English club Bath in the Aviva Premiership with immediate effect. On 6 March 2018, Tapuai agrees a deal to join Premiership rivals Harlequins from the 2018–19 season. He was a replacement in the Premiership final against Exeter on 26 June 2021 as Harlequins won the game 40-38 in the highest scoring Premiership final ever.

On 25 July 2021, Tapuai would move to South Africa to sign for Durban-based Sharks in the United Rugby Championship ahead of the 2021-22 season. He made his debut for the Sharks on 20 November 2021 when he started against the Cheetahs, in a match that formed part of the Toyota Challenge. He later made his URC debut on 22 January 2022 when starting for the Sharks in an away match against the Lions.

Super Rugby statistics

Season Team Games Starts Sub Mins Tries Cons Pens Drops Points Yel Red 2009 1 0 1 18 1 0 0 0 5 0 0 2010 2 1 1 65 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2011 10 9 1 674 2 0 0 0 10 0 0 2012 10 8 2 582 1 0 0 0 5 0 0 2013 14 14 0 1068 3 0 0 0 15 0 0 2014 16 14 2 1019 1 0 0 0 5 0 0 2015 10 1 9 285 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2016 12 12 0 957 3 2 1 0 22 0 0Total 75 59 16 4668 11 2 1 0 62 0 0