Daniel Tupou

This article is about the rugby league footballer. For the Tongan rugby union player, sometimes called Daniel Tupou, see Taniela Tupou (rugby union).

Daniel "Toops" Tupou

Personal information
Full name	Daniel (Taniela) Tupou
Born	(1991-06-17) 17 June 1991 (age 33) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height	196 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Weight	105 kg (16 st 7 lb)
Playing information
Position	Wing
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2012– Sydney Roosters 265 164 0 0 656 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2013–22 Tonga 18 12 0 0 48 2014–15 NSW City 2 2 0 0 8 2014–22 New South Wales 10 3 0 0 12 2014 Prime Minister's XIII 1 0 0 0 0 2014 Australia 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [1] As of 27 September 2024

Daniel Tupou (born 17 June 1991) is a professional rugby league footballer who plays on the wing for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League (NRL). He has played for Tonga and Australia at international level.

Tupou has played for the City Origin, New South Wales in the State of Origin series and Prime Minister's XIII sides. He won the 2013, 2018 and 2019 NRL Grand Final with the Sydney Roosters.

Background

Tupou was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He is of Tongan descent.

Playing career

Tupou played his junior rugby league for the Berala Bears and Guildford Owls before being signed by the Parramatta Eels. Tupou played for the Eels' NYC team in 2010 and 2011, scoring 9 tries in 22 games, ^[2] before being signed by the Roosters.

Tupou playing for the Newtown Jets

2012

In Round 24, Tupou made his NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters against the Canberra Raiders in the Roosters 24–20 loss at Canberra Stadium. ^[3] In just his second game, Tupou scored 3 tries against the Wests Tigers in the Roosters 44–20 win at the SFS. ^[4] Tupou played in three matches and scored three tries for the Sydney Roosters in his debut year. On 12 September, Tupou was named at wing in the NSW Cup Team of the Year. On 30 September, he played for the Newtown Jets in their New South Wales Cup 22–16 Grand Final win over the Balmain Ryde-Eastwood Tigers. ^[5]

2013

On 26 February, Tupou extended his contract with the Roosters to the end of the 2015 season. ^[6] He became a full-time first grader in 2013, scoring 14 tries from 26 games. His most impressive try came in the 2013 NRL Grand Final when he leapt over Manly's David Williams to level the game at 6–6. Roosters went on to win the Grand Final 26–18 against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. ^{[7] [8]}

Tupou was named in the 24-man Tongan 2013 Rugby League World Cup squad. ^[9] He made his Tongan international debut against Scotland on the wing in the 26–24 loss at Derwent Park. ^[10] Tupou played in all of Tonga's three matches in the tournament.

2014

On 4 May, Tupou was selected for NSW City in the City vs Country Origin match in Dubbo, New South Wales. He played on the wing and scored two tries in the 26-all draw. ^[11] Tupou was selected to make his debut for the New South Wales Blues in Game 1 of the 2014 State of Origin series on the wing in the 100th State of Origin match in the Blues 12–8 win at Suncorp Stadium. ^[12] He also played in the next game as NSW won 6–4, resulting in the Blues breaking their 8-year losing streak, ^[13] and in Game 3. ^[14] Tupou scored 14 tries in 19 matches with the Sydney Roosters.

On 12 October, Tupou played on the wing for Prime Minister's XIII in the 34–16 win over Papua New Guinea. ^[15] He was selected in the Australia Kangaroos 24-man squad for the 2014 Four Nations. ^{[16] [17]} Tupou made his international debut on the wing in the Kangaroos 30–12 loss against New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium, his only appearance in the tournament. ^[18]

2015

Tupou was again selected for New South Wales City. ^{[19] [20]} He played for New South Wales in Game 1 of the 2015 State of Origin series, in a 10–11 loss, ^{[21] [22]} but was dropped for the rest of the series. ^[23] On 27 July, he re-signed with the Roosters, keeping him at the club to the end of the 2017 season. ^[24] He finished the season having played in all of the Roosters' 27 matches and scoring 16 tries. ^[25]

2016

In February, Tupou played for the Sydney Roosters in the Auckland Nines. ^[26] He scored 10 tries from 21 games with the Roosters.

2017

In Round 4 against cross-city rivals the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Tupou played his 100th NRL match and scored a try in the Roosters 20–6 win at ANZ Stadium. ^[27]

In 2017 Tupou elected to represent the nation of his ancestral heritage, Tonga. He played wing in every game of their stunning charge to the 2017 Rugby League World Cup semi-finals. He scored 2 tries in their win over Scotland in the pool stage of the tournament. ^[28]

2018

Tupou was part of the Eastern Suburbs side which won their 4th minor premiership in six years. On 30 September, Tupou played on the wing and scored the game's first try in Easts 21–6 victory over Melbourne in the 2018 NRL Grand Final. ^[29]

2019

In round 2 of the 2019 NRL season, Tupou scored two tries as the Sydney Roosters defeated Manly-Warringah 26–18 at Brookvale Oval. In round 21, Tupou scored two tries as his team defeated Canberra 22–18 at Canberra Stadium. ^{[30] [31]}

Tupou made a total of 26 appearances for the Sydney Roosters as the club won their second consecutive premiership defeating Canberra 14–8 in the 2019 NRL Grand Final with Tupou playing on the wing. Tupou was involved in the match winning play late in the second half when he passed the ball on the inside to James Tedesco who raced away to score the deciding try. The premiership victory was Tupou's third as a player. ^[32]

2020

On 22 February, Tupou played for the Roosters in their 2020 World Club Challenge victory defeating St Helens 20–12. ^[33]

In round 16 of the 2020 NRL season, he scored two tries in a 58–12 victory over Brisbane at the Sydney Cricket Ground. ^[34]

Tupou playing for Tonga at the 2021 RLWC

In round 18 of the 2020 NRL season against Newcastle, Tupou scored two tries to become the 4th Sydney Roosters player to score 100 tries. ^[35]

Tupou was later selected for the 2020 State of Origin series. He played in all three matches, scoring two tries, as New South Wales suffered a shock 2–1 series loss against Queensland. ^[36]

2021

In round 10 of the 2021 NRL season, he scored two tries in the club's 30–16 victory over North Queensland. ^[37]

In round 23, Tupou scored a hat-trick in the club's 40–22 victory over St. George Illawarra. ^[38]

Tupou played a total of 26 games for the Sydney Roosters including the club's two finals matches. The Roosters would be eliminated from the second week of the finals losing to Manly 42–6. ^{[39] [40]}

2022

On 29 May, Tupou was selected by New South Wales to play in game one of the 2022 State of Origin series. Tupou played in all three games as New South Wales lost the series 2–1.

In round 19 of the 2022 NRL season, Tupou scored two tries in a 42–12 victory over Newcastle. ^{[41] [42]}

In round 23, Tupou scored two tries in a 72–6 victory over the Wests Tigers. ^[43]

Tupou finished as the clubs top try scorer with 16 tries for the year. Tupou played a total of 22 games as the club finished sixth on the table and reached the finals. Tupou played in the Sydney Roosters elimination final loss to arch-rivals South Sydney. ^[44]

In the second round of group matches at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, Tupou scored a hat-trick in Tonga's 32–6 victory over Wales. ^[45] In the third group game, Tupou scored two tries in Tonga's 92–10 victory over the Cook Islands. ^[46]

2023

In round 22 of the 2023 NRL season, Tupou became the Sydney Roosters record try scorer after he crossed over in the 70th minute of the clubs 32–10 loss against Brisbane at The Gabba. ^[47] The following week, he scored two tries for the club in their 26–16 victory over Manly. ^[48] Tupou signed a one-year extension with the club for the 2024 season. ^[49] Tupou played 18 matches for the Sydney Roosters in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 7th on the table and qualified for the finals. ^[50]

2024

On 29 July, it was announced that Tupou had re-signed with the club until the end of the 2026 season. ^[51] Tupou played 24 games for the Sydney Roosters in the 2024 NRL season scoring 21 tries. Tupou played in all three finals matches for the club as they were eliminated at the preliminary final stage by Melbourne. ^[52]

Statistics

Year	Team	Games	Tries	Pts
2012	Sydney Roosters	3	3	12
2013		26	14	56
2014		19	14	56
2015		27	16	64
2016		21	10	40
2017		21	11	44
2018		17	8	32
2019		26	15	60
2020		15	11	44
2021		26	15	60
2022		22	16	64
2023		18	10	40
2024		24	21	84
	Totals	265	164	656

References

1. "Daniel Tupou". rugbyleagueproject.org.
2. "Daniel Tupou". rleague.com. Archived from the original on 17 June 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
3. "Roosters Fullback Anthony Minichiello Sent Off as Raiders Hold On to Win 24–20". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
4. "Anyone's Final as Shocks Continue After Tigers Upset". Heraldsun.com.au. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
5. Michael Chammas (30 September 2012). "Jets scramble to take NSW Cup". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
6. "Tupou extends Roosters deal". The Sydney Morning Herald. 26 February 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
7. "Coverage of Roosters v Sea Eagles". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
8. "NRL Grand Final player ratings". NRL.com. 6 October 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
9. "Tonga names World Cup Squad". SportingPulse. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
10. "Scotland Have Pulled Off an Unlikely World Cup Victory by Beating Tonga 26–24". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
11. "Hulking Centre Jamal Idris Stars in Thrillling City/Country Draw in Dubbo". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
12. "NSW Beat Queensland 12–8". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
13. "State of Origin: NSW Blues beat Queensland Maroons to end eight-year drought". The Sydney Morning Herald. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
14. "Queensland Maroons beat NSW Blues to score consolation win". The Sydney Morning Herald. 9 July 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
15. "Aaron Woods stars in Prime Ministers XIII's 34–16 win over Papua New Guinea". The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 October 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
16. "Holden Kangaroos 2014 Four Nations squad". NRL.com. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
17. "Late Bloomer Aidan Guerra on Cusp of Kangaroos Test Debut". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
18. "New Zealand hand Australia's young guns a reality check in Four Nations". The Sydney Morning Herald. 25 October 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
19. "Representative Round team lists". NRL.com. 28 April 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
20. "Country overcome City in seesawing affair". NRL.com. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
21. "NSW Wingers Daniel Tupou and Will Hopoate Calm Ahead of Origin Storm". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
22. "State of Origin: Queensland Maroons edge out NSW Blues in one-point thriller". Smh.com.au. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
23. "Tupou and Fifita dropped by NSW for Origin II". Wide World of Sport.
24. James MacSmith (27 July 2015). "Daniel Tupou re-signs with Roosters". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
25. "Custom Match List". Rugby League Project. 24 October 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
26. "Roosters unveil 2016 Nines squad". Rugby League Week. Archived from the original on 23 March 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
27. "In-Form Tupou Eyes Tonga Return". NRL. 25 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
28. "Tonga stun New Zealand to top Pool B". NRL. 11 November 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
29. "Cronk the hero as Roosters defeat Storm in 2018 NRL grand final". news.com.au. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
30. "Keary stars as Roosters hold off fast-finishing Sea Eagles". NRL. 23 March 2019.
31. Howcroft, Jonathan (11 August 2019). "Sportwatch Big wins for Storm and Roosters, tough loss for Dockers – as it happened". The Guardian.
32. "Sydney Roosters beat Canberra Raiders to win NRL Grand Final". BBC Sport. 6 October 2019.
33. Bower, Aaron (22 February 2020). "Sydney Roosters are World Club champions after Manu mauls St Helens". The Observer.
34. "'Just not up to NRL standard': Roosters put 58 points on 'embarrassing' Broncos". wwos.nine.com.au. 28 August 2020.
35. "Tupou scores 100th NRL try as Roosters end Knights' top-four hopes". uk.sports.yahoo.com.
36. "'I'll be ducking Freddy': Journo eats humble pie over 'worst team' call... but doesn't regret it". www.foxsports.com.au. 18 November 2020.
37. "Sydney Roosters beat Nth Queensland 30–16, South Sydney defeat Cronulla 32–22 and Canberra beats the Bulldogs 20–18". ABC News. 15 May 2021.
38. "NRL 2021: Star Roosters Tedesco and Walker combine to end Dragons' finals hopes". www.news.com.au.
39. "'They don't rate us': How injury toll eased pressure for revitalised Roosters". www.nrl.com. 16 September 2021.
40. "Manly Sea Eagles hammer Sydney Roosters 42–6 to advance to NRL preliminary finals". ABC News. 17 September 2021.
41. "Tedesco-Keary combo sizzles in rout as woeful Knights suffer Ponga blow: 3 Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au. 22 July 2022.
42. "Wighton starts at centre as Blues confirm lineup for Game One". www.nrl.com. 30 May 2022.
43. "Roosters, Eels and Sharks add pre-finals drubbings to one-sided round of NRL". ABC News. 20 August 2022.
44. "Robbo switch that woke sleeping giant as full extent of cap crunch laid bare: Brutal Review". www.foxsports.com.au. 12 September 2022.
45. "Rugby League World Cup: Tonga 32–6 Wales – Tonga cruise to victory after early scare". BBC Sport. 24 October 2022.
46. "Tonga 92–10 Cook Islands: Tonga close Rugby League World Cup group in style". BBC Sport. 30 October 2022.
47. "Chooks cooked despite veteran's historic feat as Bronco breaks 78-game try duck — 3 Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au. 27 July 2023.
48. "Roosters' back five sizzles to hold off late Manly fightback after ugly Brown send off: Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au. 3 August 2023.
49. "Roosters confirm double signing of veterans". 26 May 2023.
50. "NRL 2023: Sydney Roosters season review". www.sportingnews.com. 17 September 2023.
51. "Daniel Tupou to remain a one-club player". Sydney Roosters. 28 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
52. "The Mole's end of season review: Maligned signing suddenly looms as Roosters saviour after exodus, injuries". www.nine.com.au.

External links

• Sydney Roosters profile
• Roosters profile
• 2017 RLWC profile
• Roosters 2019 stats