Characterised by his larger-than-life smile and selfless attitude, the second longest-serving Sydney Roosters squad member has owned the rugby league airspace since making his NRL debut for the Club in 2012.
Daniel Tupou: The Flyer
| Name | Daniel Tupou |
| Nickname | Toops |
| Date of Birth | 17/06/1991 |
| NRL & Club Debut | Round 24, 2012 vs Canberra Raiders |
| Roosters Player No. | 1130 |
| First Grade Games for Club | 237 |
| First Grade Points for Club | 560 (140 Tries) |
| Premierships | 3 (2013, 2018, 2019) |
| Representative Career | 12 World Cup Matches - Tonga (2013, 2017, 2022) 10 Origin Appearances - NSW (2014, 2015, 2020, 2022) 3 World Club Challenge (2014, 2019, 2020) 2 City vs Country - NSW City (2014, 2015) 1 Four Nations Match - Australia (2014) 1 Tonga Invitational Game (2019) |
| Individual Accolades | Clubman of the Year (2019) |
| Records and Achievements | Most Tries for Club (140) Seventh most-capped Rooster (237 matches*) |
A three-time Premiership winner, regular in the Tongan International line-up and a NSW Blues representative, he truly epitomises the work ethic of the modern-day winger.
Growing up in Auburn, the flyer arrived on the Eastern Suburbs after progressing through Parramatta’s junior representative system. His impact would be immediately felt, dominating the NSW Cup competition before making his NRL debut in August.
Just a week after his first appearance, he’d carry his team to a 44-20 victory over the Wests Tigers with a hattrick at Allianz Stadium proving his aerial ability and willingness to do whatever is asked of him – qualities that remain 11 years later.
At the end of September, Tupou helped the Newtown Jets to claim the NSW Cup Premiership, staking a claim as the NSW Cup Winger of the Year, an impressive feat for his first year in the pathway.
In the 2013 season, the then 22-year-old solidified his spot on the wing, scoring 14 tries, including perhaps one of the greatest four-pointers of all time, a phenomenal one-on-one effort against David Williams in the Grand Final to help the Red, White and Blue lift the Premiership Trophy for the 13th time in Club history.
Daniel Tupou's 2013 Grand Final Try
Tupou made his International debut for Tonga at the Rugby League World Cup in the same year, rounding out an incredible season while demonstrating a play-making maturity well beyond his years.
His meteoric rise through Club caught eyes of NSW representative selectors, who called on the winger to feature in NSW City and State of Origin teams the following year.
In his NSW City debut, Tupou crossed for a double in Dubbo to help his team stay in the contest under the guidance of coach Brad Fittler. Just 24 days later the towering back would represent his state in Origin I, contributing to the 2-1 series win with strong performances in all games.
I cherish every opportunity I get to represent the Sydney Roosters. I love this club and the people in it.
Daniel Tupou
Maintaining solid form in 2015 and 2016, Tupou continued to do his job on the wing, remaining reliable in the air and on the ground every time the ball made its way to his side of the field.
Tupou played a pivotal role in Mate Ma’a Tonga's 2017 Rugby League World Cup campaign. Scoring two tries in his first appearance, his consistency would help the team make the Semi Final that year.
The now 31-year-old overcame a torn pectoral muscle sustained in the second round of the 2018 season to score tries in four-straight games, including the Grand Final, to bag another Premiership ring.
A year later, Tupou was back in the Grand Final arena, this time setting up James Tedesco for the match-winning try after making a line-break in the 72nd minute. His courage and determination would be rewarded with the Clubman of the Year award, concluding an outstanding season.
Struck down by a syndesmosis injury in 2020 after another Origin series, Tupou would miss the bulk of the season before returning to his usual best in Round 16, unbelievably scoring seven tries in five games to afford the Roosters another finals opportunity.
The fan-favourite winger has remained at the top of his game the past two seasons, scoring 15 tries in 2021, backing up his efforts in 2022 with another 16.
Daniel Tupou 200 Game Highlights
Last year Tupou represented his state and heritage once more, appearing three times for the Blues and four times for Tonga. His performance at the Rugby League Cup demonstrated he is still as talented as the 21-year-old try-scoring whizz, who joined the Roosters with a dream of playing professional rugby league to support his family.
After overtaking Anthony Minichiello as the Club's greatest try-scorer, Tupou will carry on doing his job for the team with no inkling of complaint, continuing to make a strong case as to why he’s one of the best wingers in the modern era.
