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Best Moments of 2021: Tupou's Season-Saving Tackle

Season 2021 will certainly live long in the memories of the Roosters faithful with so many moments that stood out in what was truly a unique year in Club history.

We've gone through the memory bank and selected ten of the best moments from the year in chronological order. 

With just seconds remaining in their elimination final against the Gold Coast Titans, veteran winger Daniel Tupou pulled off one of the most important tackles of the season. 

The Tricolours had two milestones to celebrate with blockbusting forward Siosiua Taukeiaho playing his 150th game in Club colours, while Daniel Tupou notched his double-century in Red, White and Blue.

With everything to play for in this elimination final against the Titans, the humid conditions contributed to the low completion rate in the opening exchanges as both sides opted to kick penalty goals for their first points.

Finals Week One 2021 Match Highlights: Roosters vs Titans

Quick hands allowed Matt Ikuvalu to touch down in the corner for the Roosters' opening try, and ten minutes later a powerhouse effort from Victor Radley put captain James Tedesco over to score. 

The Titans crossed late to close the deficit at the break, but the Roosters maintained a 12-6 half-time lead - although few could predict the chaos that was to come. 

It took just one minute for Easts to get on the board once again, with Tupou diving over for a trademark four-pointer, however, the bounce of the ball allowed the Gold Coast to reply in kind in quick succession as the scores were level at 18-apiece with less than half an hour remaining. 

Heading into the final quarter, the men from Bondi took back the lead as Josh Morris crashed over in an emphatic effort, only for an error on the line allowing their opponents to equalise once more - leading to a tense final term.

A classic field goal shoot-out ensued, with neither side able to convert, until rookie sensation Sam Walker injected himself into the contest with a composed one-pointer to give the Roosters the lead - but all was not done just yet. 

In the final minute of play, the Titans broke away on the left to streak downfield, with Walker halting the raid with a copybook tackle on Philip Sami. With the defence retreating to the try line and the Gold Coast with greater numbers, hope looked lost as they looked to ice the match.

But it was Daniel Tupou - the last man remaining on the edge - who kept his composure, completing a one-on-one tackle that not only forced an error but also saved the Roosters' season with his teammates erupting in full celebration as they advanced to the second week of finals. 

Acknowledgement of Country

Sydney Roosters respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.