‘Roll with it’: Tupou ready for 115-year record and life after Roosters
Daniel Tupou is at ease with his looming place atop 115 years of Roosters history and the fact this season could be his last in red, white and blue.
Tupou sits just five tries shy of Anthony Minichiello’s record of 139 four-pointers and having notched at least 10 tries in all bar one of his 10 full campaigns, only injury will seemingly stop him from claiming a rare slice of history at the foundation club.
At the same time though, Dom Young’s arrival from Newcastle next season and Joseph Suaali’i’s re-signing for 2024 have Tupou, 31, ready to consider potential pay days in the English Super League or overseas rugby.
Tupou and coach Trent Robinson have discussed the veteran winger’s future, with his one-club status making him eligible for a $200,000 long-service allowance if the Roosters were to re-sign him.
Speaking for the first time since Young’s acquisition late last month, Tupou is willing to look at a Super League swansong as his agent, Sam Ayoub, explores the market.
Four-time Super League champions and recent World Club Challenge winners St Helens are among the potential suitors after CEO Mike Rush told the Herald that Tupou “is someone we would be silly not to be interested in”.
“I’m open to any negotiation that happens,” Tupou told the Herald on Tuesday.
“It’ll just come down to the best deal for myself and my future. If that means going overseas and trying something really new like that, I’ll just have to roll with it.
“Robbo and I have had a chat about where I want to be with my footy. We’ve had that talk, left it at that and now it’ll go through Sammy. The club’s been really transparent with me. That’s a good sign.
“I’m sure there will be something sorted out but I’ve got to leave that to my manager.”
Daniel Tupou is closing in on Anthony Minichiello’s all-time Roosters try-scoring record.Credit:Getty
Tupou has been part of the furniture at Bondi Junction for more than a decade and one of the NRL’s most consistent wingers in that time, returning to the NSW Origin ranks last year and playing 12 Tests for Tonga.
Minichiello has already flagged the fact his club record is set to fall to the softly spoken winger, one of Robinson’s favourites over the course of three premierships and 224 appearances.
“Minsa did give me a message and gave me the tick of approval,” Tupou said. “It means a lot and if that does pan out then I’m grateful that it happens. It’s 115 years, it’d mean even more to me if it does happen.
“This club is home for me. I’m comfortable here and it’s a place I want to walk into every day. I’m greeted by family every day. I’ve been here my whole career but it’s gone by pretty quickly. And if it’s time for a change then it is what it is.”
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