Wallabies player attacked outside team hotel in South Africa

Wallabies player Taniela Tupou has been mugged near the team hotel in Johannesburg on Saturday night.

The 23-year-old and eight teammates were less than 50 metres from their upmarket Sandton base when he was jumped at around 9.15pm.

The offender took Tupou’s phone and jumped into a nearby car.

Having first thought it was a teammate, Tupou quickly attempted to grab his phone back but failed to do so.

He suffered minor cuts to his arm during the scuffle.

"I was at dinner with the front rowers, it was just outside our hotel," Tupou said.

"On our way back someone just came from behind and took my phone.

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

“I tried to chase after him and he got in the car and I got some cuts but I'm 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 in South Africa ahead of their first Rugby Championship game against the Springboks next weekend.

with AAP