Taniela Tupou says he is ready to start for the Wallabies against the Springboks in Brisbane on Saturday.

The 22-year-old hooker missed both of his side’s recent Bledisloe Cup matches due to a hamstring strain, with Sekope Kepu and Allan Alaalatoa starting against the All Blacks.

While not quite back to full fitness, Tupou was confident he could do the job for coach Michael Cheika this week.

‘If Cheika wants me to start, I will take that with both hands,’ he said. ‘It’s something I’ve been really looking forward to.

‘I’ve been on the bench and I’ve been playing a few games but if Cheika wants me to start, I’ll take that chance.

‘I wouldn’t say [the hamstring is] 100% but it’s a lot better than it was in New Zealand,’ he added. ‘I started running last week in New Zealand slowly but now I have started to go full speed.

‘From what they have said, I am doing really well. This week I’ve been comfortable and just need to do a few tests to see if I’m able to go 100% and be ready to play.’

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