Of all the positive signs for Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt in two local derbies last weekend - a ruthless Brumbies win and a determined Queensland comeback - the moment that may prove most consequential came from a losing side.

In the 49th minute, NSW prop Taniela Tupou ran on from the bench, shoved the Reds backward in a few scrums and then bulldozed over for a try. And what followed was telling: jubilant Waratahs players ran from all over the field to jump on Tupou, yahooing like he’d scored a match winner.

Angus Bell wrapped an arm around Tupou’s shoulder like a proud father.

In most circumstances, the emotion levels might have looked over the top, but not when considering the background of Tupou’s raw interview with this masthead, published a day earlier.

In extraordinarily candid admissions, the star Wallaby prop laid bare his struggle to find form this year, his desire to stay in Australia, his frustrations about not contributing for NSW, and a sad resignation that he may not get picked to play against the British and Irish Lions.

“Sometimes, I go out there, and I finish the game, and I’m like, ‘f--- me, do I know how to play rugby any more, or what?’,” he........

© Brisbane Times