Tupou lifted by rookies, Roosters make big Origin call

West Australian

5 days ago

Daniel Tupou has described how he sees a younger version of himself in Robert Toia, as Queensland's breakout State of Origin star returns for the Sydney Roosters.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson confirmed on Saturday all five of his Origin players would face Canberra on Sunday, days after the interstate series opener.
That will leave the Roosters in the best chance to remain on the cusp of the NRL's top eight, despite sitting 16th on the ladder as recently as six weeks ago.
Toia has been one of several young Roosters whom Tupou believes has re-energised the club this year, amid a difficult injury run to start 2025.
The centre himself overcame back-to-back ACL ruptures before making his debut this year, and was arguably Queensland's best in their series-opening loss.
Tupou himself played 10 games on the wing for NSW and has consistently become something of a mentor for the younger members of the Roosters' backline.
"Watching from afar, the extras he's putting in after the adversity he's been through is a credit to him," Tupou said.
"He reminds me of myself, just the quiet nature and shy with all that media stuff and he's handled it really well.
"I have seen him keep his composure and let his footy do the talking."
Queensland coach Billy Slater said after Wednesday's loss Toia's debut was "great", hailing his focus on the "not brilliant" parts of the game.
Robinson was also not surprised, praising Toia's movements and decisions.
The Roosters centre is not the only youngster to have left a mark on Tupou.
The towering winger scored twice in last week's win over Cronulla off the back of two Hugo Savala kicks, with the halfback making the most of Tupou's height.
Just six games into starting as a No.7, the 23-year-old has made a genuine case to keep a spot in the halves once Sam Walker returns from his ACL rupture in coming weeks.
"It was just a gameplan and he backed himself," Tupou said.
"All week from the Monday leading up to the week he said he was going to own that part of his game and he lived up to the expectation.
"We just fell into place straight and away and it worked. Credit to him as a young player to have the courage to be able to do that."
It's also not lost on the Roosters that it was in this corresponding Sunday night home fixture against the Raiders that their 2024 season was ripped apart.
In the space of one half both Walker and hooker Brandon Smith suffered ruptured ACLs, in a blow that has had ramifications going into 2025.
"Obviously losing those two big names during that game was tough," Tupou said.
"We can only move forward from that and God willing it doesn't go the same way this year."