 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.He said, "I was contemplating going, but at the end of the day I stuck at it and stuck with the Reds ... but in saying that it would be awesome to go back to Melbourne and to finish off there, but I haven't even thought of that."