The Tongan Thor, Taniela Tupou was crushed by All Blacks Rugby World Cup winning prop Joe Moody in the Reds' pre‑season hit out last week against the Crusaders.
19-year-old Tupou has been rested by the Reds for tomorrow's pre‑season hit‑out with the Brumbies, before the Super Rugby season opener in a fortnight.
Fox Sports reported the inexperience of Tupou in the set piece against the Crusaders last weekend, with the 130kg youngster dominated by his opposite Moody's cleverness in the scrums.
The Crusaders thrashed the Reds 31‑3 but rising star Tupou still showed enough to suggest he can make the grade in Super Rugby and beyond.
The Reds first match of the Super Rugby competition will be up against the Waratahs on the 27th of this month.
