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Wallaby Taniela Tupou robbed of phone in South Africa

Wallabies player Taniela Tupou (C). Jono Searle/Getty Images

Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou has suffered minor cuts to his arm after having his phone snatched in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Tupou was walking back to the team hotel in upmarket Sandton with eight other Wallabies front-rowers about 9.15 p.m. (local time) on Saturday after a group dinner nearby when a man grabbed his phone.

He suffered the cuts as he tried to grab the phone back after the man had run and climbed into a waiting car.

"Someone just came up behind me and took my phone," said Tupou.

"I thought it was one of the boys so I looked back. He was wearing a hoodie and ran with my phone.

"I tried to chase him and he got in the car.

"I got injured with a cut but I am fine. I lost my phone but I can live with that."

Rugby Australia says local police took statements from all of the players and they believe it was part of a series of incidents that night.

The Wallabies are preparing to start the Rugby World Cup season with their Rugby Championship-opening match against South Africa on Saturday at Ellis Park.