Ben Tapuai (born 19 January 1989) is an Australian professional rugby player for The Sharks, who plays in the United Rugby Championship. 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. In 2006 Tapuai was part of the Australian Schoolboys squad that toured Fiji and New Zealand, along with Robert Horne. Both Tapuai and Horne continued in the Schoolboys in 2007, and Tapuai was selected at inside centre (No.12) ahead of fellow Queensland representative James O'Connor. Notably, he played schoolboy rugby with four other players that would go on to play professional rugby, including three other wallabies. His school team mates included James Slipper, Rob Simmons and Luke Morahan. In 2008 Tapuai represented the Australian Under 20s in Japan, and played in the 2008 IRB Junior World Championship in Wales. His Under-20 teammates included Liam Gill and Chris Feauai-Sautia. Tapuai is a product of Sunnybank. In 2011 Tapuai he and his brother Rex Tapuai formed a strong partnership at inside (No.12) and outside centre (No.13) to help the 'Dragons' win the final of the Queensland Premier Rugby competition. Career In 2009 Tapuai made his Super Rugby debut for the Reds against the Crusaders while still in the Queensland state academy program. He played four games for the Reds in that season. Tapuai played few games for Reds in 2010, and coach Ewen McKenzie said Tapuai had struggled to get through 80 minutes and needed to work on his fitness. Regarding Tapuai's versatility, McKenzie said, "He can play No.10, 12 and 13. He's probably better suited to No.13 but it depends on the centre combination." In 2011, under a full contract he played in 10 of the Reds 18 games, including the final, and formed a strong combination with Wallaby centre Anthony Fainga'a. In 2011 Reds acknowledged Tapuai's emerging talents - strong defence, straight ball running and accurate left boot, and he received the Reds award for Most Improved Player. Later in 2011, Tapuai made his debut for the Wallabies, 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