Maroons rookie earns ultimate comparison
Roosters veteran Daniel Tupou doesn't show much emotion on the field even after he scores one of his trademark tries off a high kick, but you couldn't wipe the smile off his face when he was asked about teammate Robert Toia, who will make his State of Origin debut on Wednesday night.
Still only 20 and with just 10 NRL appearances next to his name, Toia was the bolter in the Maroons squad with outside back hopefuls Murray Taulagi and Selwyn Cobbo unavailable.
Toia has shown in his limited opportunities just how talented he is, with the Roosters centre breaking free with one of his first touches on debut to set up Dom Young for a try against the Broncos.
It's been a story of perseverance for the gifted outside back who has suffered two serious ACL injuries and a broken jaw in his rugby league journey, with Toia showing great resilience to never lose sight of the bigger picture. Robert Toia will make his State of Origin debut after just 10 club games. Nigel Hallett Credit: News Corp Australia
'Watching from afar, the extras he's putting in after the adversity he's been through is a credit to him,' Tupou said.
'I'm stoked for him to get this opportunity early in his career, and I'm sure he'll do a great job at home playing in front of his family and friends.
'He sort of reminds me of myself with the quiet nature and how shy he is with the media.
'He's handled it really well. I messaged him to keep his composure and let his footy do the talking.'
Tupou played 10 matches for the Blues and hopes to see Toia flourish on debut for the Maroons, with the young gun set for an outstanding career if he can stay as consistent as his towering teammate.
'He doesn't say a lot, but the thing about Rob is that he's similar to 'Toops' in that they just go about their business and they are so consistent with their work,' Roosters centre Billy Smith said.
'Like Toops has done for the past 13 years, Bobby for the past few years has been so consistent. He's turned up to training even when things haven't gone his way, and he's just gotten into his work.
'I'm a big believer that if you keep working hard and put yourself in good positions that good things tend to happen.'
Like Toia, Smith has endured a horror run with three serious knee injuries. It's why he's so proud of his young teammate who has never kicked stones or let self-doubt creep in.
'It's cool to see someone work so hard and have not much happen for you with the injuries to now get the rewards,' he said.
'That's what Rob has been through the past few years, but he's never stopped working hard.
'To debut 10 weeks ago and now play some really good footy for the Roosters, and now he gets his crack in the pinnacle of rugby league.
'It's nice to see someone you love and respect get rewarded.'
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The Advertiser
13 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Broncos star axed as Walsh gives Maguire new hope
Brisbane coach Michael Maguire has swung the axe with representative outside back Selwyn Cobbo dropped from the team. The decision, after the Broncos lost six of seven matches, shows Maguire is prepared to be make big calls for poor performances. Josiah Karapani, 23, will come into the side on the wing for his first NRL match of the season against Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night. Star fullback Reece Walsh returns to No.1 after missing six weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury and will partner halves Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds for the first time as a combination in 2025. The Broncos have not been happy with 23-year-old Cobbo's recent performances at fullback and wing. Maguire explained his decision, with Cobbo expected to play Queensland Cup for Wynnum Manly. "As a group, and as a leadership group and as a coach, we're pushing standards here and expectations in how we're doing things, and Karapani's got his opportunity and Selly's got to look at a few things in his game," Maguire said. "(Karapani) has been really consistent in the way he's been playing through the pre -season ... and he's obviously experienced first grade. When he has played, he's played really well. I know he'll do a good job." Maguire said Cobbo "definitely" could force his way back into the side. Cobbo is off-contract but Maguire said he did not look at his axing as having an impact on whether he would still be at the Broncos next year. "I'm here to coach the team. We're creating standards and ... the more you meet those, the more opportunities you have," Maguire said, while confirming he would keep private the intricate detail of the areas Cobbo needed to Deine Mariner was also dropped while prop Pat Carrigan moves to his favoured lock position. The Broncos have lacked competitive tension in recent weeks for spots with Walsh and half/hooker Ben Hunt (hamstring) unavailable. That has now changed with Hunt not far away from a return. "It's (about) having the players available too," Maguire said. "We're starting to get the spine everyone gets excited about with Reyno and Ez and Reece ...and we'll get Hunty back in there at some stage. "It just tinkers with how you're playing and with those boys in there ... you're looking at a different outcome. "Reece is ready to go so we are looking forward to bringing his energy back in, but also to his experience and just who he is. He's a good player. I love coaching him. He'll do his job for the team." Maguire wore an "Adam Reynolds 300" shirt in tribute to the Brisbane captain who will reach the milestone against the Titans. He said it was "an honour" to mentor the 34-year-old, whom he gave an NRL debut to in 2012 at South Sydney. "To think further down the track, we're playing 300 it's an incredible achievement really," Maguire said. "For a little fella like him, he's had every big man running at him, makes plenty of tackles, pushes the team around the park and he's had some massive moments. "Grand final winner (in 2014), been in a few more grand finals and helped a lot of players. One thing that stands out for me is how Reyno influenced his teammates." Brisbane coach Michael Maguire has swung the axe with representative outside back Selwyn Cobbo dropped from the team. The decision, after the Broncos lost six of seven matches, shows Maguire is prepared to be make big calls for poor performances. Josiah Karapani, 23, will come into the side on the wing for his first NRL match of the season against Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night. Star fullback Reece Walsh returns to No.1 after missing six weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury and will partner halves Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds for the first time as a combination in 2025. The Broncos have not been happy with 23-year-old Cobbo's recent performances at fullback and wing. Maguire explained his decision, with Cobbo expected to play Queensland Cup for Wynnum Manly. "As a group, and as a leadership group and as a coach, we're pushing standards here and expectations in how we're doing things, and Karapani's got his opportunity and Selly's got to look at a few things in his game," Maguire said. "(Karapani) has been really consistent in the way he's been playing through the pre -season ... and he's obviously experienced first grade. When he has played, he's played really well. I know he'll do a good job." Maguire said Cobbo "definitely" could force his way back into the side. Cobbo is off-contract but Maguire said he did not look at his axing as having an impact on whether he would still be at the Broncos next year. "I'm here to coach the team. We're creating standards and ... the more you meet those, the more opportunities you have," Maguire said, while confirming he would keep private the intricate detail of the areas Cobbo needed to Deine Mariner was also dropped while prop Pat Carrigan moves to his favoured lock position. The Broncos have lacked competitive tension in recent weeks for spots with Walsh and half/hooker Ben Hunt (hamstring) unavailable. That has now changed with Hunt not far away from a return. "It's (about) having the players available too," Maguire said. "We're starting to get the spine everyone gets excited about with Reyno and Ez and Reece ...and we'll get Hunty back in there at some stage. "It just tinkers with how you're playing and with those boys in there ... you're looking at a different outcome. "Reece is ready to go so we are looking forward to bringing his energy back in, but also to his experience and just who he is. He's a good player. I love coaching him. He'll do his job for the team." Maguire wore an "Adam Reynolds 300" shirt in tribute to the Brisbane captain who will reach the milestone against the Titans. He said it was "an honour" to mentor the 34-year-old, whom he gave an NRL debut to in 2012 at South Sydney. "To think further down the track, we're playing 300 it's an incredible achievement really," Maguire said. "For a little fella like him, he's had every big man running at him, makes plenty of tackles, pushes the team around the park and he's had some massive moments. "Grand final winner (in 2014), been in a few more grand finals and helped a lot of players. One thing that stands out for me is how Reyno influenced his teammates." Brisbane coach Michael Maguire has swung the axe with representative outside back Selwyn Cobbo dropped from the team. The decision, after the Broncos lost six of seven matches, shows Maguire is prepared to be make big calls for poor performances. Josiah Karapani, 23, will come into the side on the wing for his first NRL match of the season against Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night. Star fullback Reece Walsh returns to No.1 after missing six weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury and will partner halves Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds for the first time as a combination in 2025. The Broncos have not been happy with 23-year-old Cobbo's recent performances at fullback and wing. Maguire explained his decision, with Cobbo expected to play Queensland Cup for Wynnum Manly. "As a group, and as a leadership group and as a coach, we're pushing standards here and expectations in how we're doing things, and Karapani's got his opportunity and Selly's got to look at a few things in his game," Maguire said. "(Karapani) has been really consistent in the way he's been playing through the pre -season ... and he's obviously experienced first grade. When he has played, he's played really well. I know he'll do a good job." Maguire said Cobbo "definitely" could force his way back into the side. Cobbo is off-contract but Maguire said he did not look at his axing as having an impact on whether he would still be at the Broncos next year. "I'm here to coach the team. We're creating standards and ... the more you meet those, the more opportunities you have," Maguire said, while confirming he would keep private the intricate detail of the areas Cobbo needed to Deine Mariner was also dropped while prop Pat Carrigan moves to his favoured lock position. The Broncos have lacked competitive tension in recent weeks for spots with Walsh and half/hooker Ben Hunt (hamstring) unavailable. That has now changed with Hunt not far away from a return. "It's (about) having the players available too," Maguire said. "We're starting to get the spine everyone gets excited about with Reyno and Ez and Reece ...and we'll get Hunty back in there at some stage. "It just tinkers with how you're playing and with those boys in there ... you're looking at a different outcome. "Reece is ready to go so we are looking forward to bringing his energy back in, but also to his experience and just who he is. He's a good player. I love coaching him. He'll do his job for the team." Maguire wore an "Adam Reynolds 300" shirt in tribute to the Brisbane captain who will reach the milestone against the Titans. He said it was "an honour" to mentor the 34-year-old, whom he gave an NRL debut to in 2012 at South Sydney. "To think further down the track, we're playing 300 it's an incredible achievement really," Maguire said. "For a little fella like him, he's had every big man running at him, makes plenty of tackles, pushes the team around the park and he's had some massive moments. "Grand final winner (in 2014), been in a few more grand finals and helped a lot of players. One thing that stands out for me is how Reyno influenced his teammates."
The Advertiser
13 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Edict fires two NRL greats into frame for Kangaroos job
The NRL will maintain its stance of prohibiting the Kangaroos coach from having club ties, placing Brad Fittler and Cameron Smith at the front of the queue to replace Mal Meninga. After nine years and two World Cup titles, Meninga has walked away from the Australian Test side to become head coach of the Perth Bears ahead of their inaugural NRL season in 2027. Meninga has been one of the most vocal supporters of the international game's growth and leaves the role with an 89 per cent win rate from 28 Tests. His exit to take the Perth gig leaves the Kangaroos without a coach just five months out from the first Ashes series in more than two decades. Australia will play England in a three-Test series at Wembley, Headingley and Everton's new home ground in November. There has been speculation that South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett would put his hand up to lead Australia. But NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said in Sydney on Friday that the ARL Commission wanted the national team coach to be at arm's length from club football. "We are all very excited for the end-of-season tour, it's been a long time in waiting, and of course we have a World Cup next year. "Today was about announcing Mal as the Perth Bears coach, and now with that secured the commission will turn its attention to the right candidate for the Kangaroos." Smith has no interest to coach at club level, but the 56-Test hooker said this week that the chance to work with the Kangaroos around his commentary commitments was appealing. Fittler, meanwhile, hasn't had a coaching position since parting ways with NSW following the 2023 State of Origin series. The ex-Australian playmaker currently works at the NRL and has received the backing of Phil Gould to lead the Kangaroos' Ashes tour. Meninga has helped restore the Australian team to the top of the international game, while the rise of Tonga and Samoa has left the Kangaroos increasingly fighting for players. "The Kangaroos job is a full-time job, it's not just coaching the team, there's a couple of other commitments," Meninga said. "From a transition point of view I'll hopefully be a part of all that. "I have loved the opportunity to coach the Australian team and build the international program. "I'm satisfied with the job I did with the national program, I'm really comfortable with the fact that I'm moving on." The NRL will maintain its stance of prohibiting the Kangaroos coach from having club ties, placing Brad Fittler and Cameron Smith at the front of the queue to replace Mal Meninga. After nine years and two World Cup titles, Meninga has walked away from the Australian Test side to become head coach of the Perth Bears ahead of their inaugural NRL season in 2027. Meninga has been one of the most vocal supporters of the international game's growth and leaves the role with an 89 per cent win rate from 28 Tests. His exit to take the Perth gig leaves the Kangaroos without a coach just five months out from the first Ashes series in more than two decades. Australia will play England in a three-Test series at Wembley, Headingley and Everton's new home ground in November. There has been speculation that South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett would put his hand up to lead Australia. But NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said in Sydney on Friday that the ARL Commission wanted the national team coach to be at arm's length from club football. "We are all very excited for the end-of-season tour, it's been a long time in waiting, and of course we have a World Cup next year. "Today was about announcing Mal as the Perth Bears coach, and now with that secured the commission will turn its attention to the right candidate for the Kangaroos." Smith has no interest to coach at club level, but the 56-Test hooker said this week that the chance to work with the Kangaroos around his commentary commitments was appealing. Fittler, meanwhile, hasn't had a coaching position since parting ways with NSW following the 2023 State of Origin series. The ex-Australian playmaker currently works at the NRL and has received the backing of Phil Gould to lead the Kangaroos' Ashes tour. Meninga has helped restore the Australian team to the top of the international game, while the rise of Tonga and Samoa has left the Kangaroos increasingly fighting for players. "The Kangaroos job is a full-time job, it's not just coaching the team, there's a couple of other commitments," Meninga said. "From a transition point of view I'll hopefully be a part of all that. "I have loved the opportunity to coach the Australian team and build the international program. "I'm satisfied with the job I did with the national program, I'm really comfortable with the fact that I'm moving on." The NRL will maintain its stance of prohibiting the Kangaroos coach from having club ties, placing Brad Fittler and Cameron Smith at the front of the queue to replace Mal Meninga. After nine years and two World Cup titles, Meninga has walked away from the Australian Test side to become head coach of the Perth Bears ahead of their inaugural NRL season in 2027. Meninga has been one of the most vocal supporters of the international game's growth and leaves the role with an 89 per cent win rate from 28 Tests. His exit to take the Perth gig leaves the Kangaroos without a coach just five months out from the first Ashes series in more than two decades. Australia will play England in a three-Test series at Wembley, Headingley and Everton's new home ground in November. There has been speculation that South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett would put his hand up to lead Australia. But NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said in Sydney on Friday that the ARL Commission wanted the national team coach to be at arm's length from club football. "We are all very excited for the end-of-season tour, it's been a long time in waiting, and of course we have a World Cup next year. "Today was about announcing Mal as the Perth Bears coach, and now with that secured the commission will turn its attention to the right candidate for the Kangaroos." Smith has no interest to coach at club level, but the 56-Test hooker said this week that the chance to work with the Kangaroos around his commentary commitments was appealing. Fittler, meanwhile, hasn't had a coaching position since parting ways with NSW following the 2023 State of Origin series. The ex-Australian playmaker currently works at the NRL and has received the backing of Phil Gould to lead the Kangaroos' Ashes tour. Meninga has helped restore the Australian team to the top of the international game, while the rise of Tonga and Samoa has left the Kangaroos increasingly fighting for players. "The Kangaroos job is a full-time job, it's not just coaching the team, there's a couple of other commitments," Meninga said. "From a transition point of view I'll hopefully be a part of all that. "I have loved the opportunity to coach the Australian team and build the international program. "I'm satisfied with the job I did with the national program, I'm really comfortable with the fact that I'm moving on."
The Advertiser
13 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Mal's Mission: How Meninga plans to poke the Bears
After unveiling Mal Meninga as the Perth Bears' inaugural head coach, the club's chief executive says criticism of the NRL's start-up franchise is proof they are on the right track to winning new supporters in the AFL-made West. At a press conference at League Central in Sydney on Friday, Meninga signed a three-year contract with the Bears, who will enter the NRL in 2027. It marks the 64-year-old's first foray into club coaching since he left the Canberra Raiders in 2001. Meninga will be 69 by the time his contract expires. The Immortal, who has enjoyed a decorated representative coaching career in charge of Queensland and Australia, will relinquish his role with the Kangaroos ahead of this year's Ashes series to help the Bears build a roster to be competitive in a little over 18 months time. "This is bigger than me," Meninga said. "This new pioneering venture over to WA and the opportunity to be involved in the growth of the game, to grow a club the Perth Bears is too good to refuse. "I feel very honoured, very nervous, and I think it's a huge responsibility." The Bears can talk to off-contract players come November 1, but their hardest challenge may be winning over fans, sponsors and a media who are already heavily invested in the AFL. "Mal is an Immortal of the NRL, he is also an Immortal of our national sporting landscape, Mal is part of the Australian identity and we're honoured he's taken this opportunity," said club chief executive Anthony De Ceglie. "We've gone from one Bear in me, to two Bears in Mal, we've doubled our staff overnight. "It's small steps, we need to listen to the legacy of the North Sydney Bears and the fans in WA who have a proud tradition and who have kept the candle burning and we need to marry those two things together to make this a huge success." A former high-ranking executive at Seven West Media - the company which owns the AFL broadcast rights - De Ceglie knows the NRL's 18th side has work to do. Already the local Seven West-owned newspaper The West Australian has been critical of the venture which has been backed by WA State government cash. "Normally if you're doing something right, you have a few critics along the way," De Ceglie said. "I've been totally blown away by the amount of messages of people who want to get involved in the Perth Bears … I'm very optimistic this will be a huge success. "It'll be up to the Perth Bears to earn the respect of the newspaper. "If we're a success on the field, and if we're a success off the field, then we should be in those sports pages. "If we're not, the only people missing out are the readers of the newspaper." Meninga is yet to finalise his coaching staff nor a recruitment team who can help him bring the Perth roster together with a relatively short lead-in time. When the Redcliffe-based Dolphins entered the NRL in 2023 they missed out on several big-name targets in the recruitment space. But their squad - which won nine of their 24 games in their inaugural season - earned the respect of rival clubs for their effort and determination. "I don't think we'll have too many worries about talking to players and managers about the opportunity to come play in Perth," Meninga said. "We've got a story to tell. We have to understand what we're trying to achieve and that's my job initially to get the right people and resources around us to help understand what that story is." After unveiling Mal Meninga as the Perth Bears' inaugural head coach, the club's chief executive says criticism of the NRL's start-up franchise is proof they are on the right track to winning new supporters in the AFL-made West. At a press conference at League Central in Sydney on Friday, Meninga signed a three-year contract with the Bears, who will enter the NRL in 2027. It marks the 64-year-old's first foray into club coaching since he left the Canberra Raiders in 2001. Meninga will be 69 by the time his contract expires. The Immortal, who has enjoyed a decorated representative coaching career in charge of Queensland and Australia, will relinquish his role with the Kangaroos ahead of this year's Ashes series to help the Bears build a roster to be competitive in a little over 18 months time. "This is bigger than me," Meninga said. "This new pioneering venture over to WA and the opportunity to be involved in the growth of the game, to grow a club the Perth Bears is too good to refuse. "I feel very honoured, very nervous, and I think it's a huge responsibility." The Bears can talk to off-contract players come November 1, but their hardest challenge may be winning over fans, sponsors and a media who are already heavily invested in the AFL. "Mal is an Immortal of the NRL, he is also an Immortal of our national sporting landscape, Mal is part of the Australian identity and we're honoured he's taken this opportunity," said club chief executive Anthony De Ceglie. "We've gone from one Bear in me, to two Bears in Mal, we've doubled our staff overnight. "It's small steps, we need to listen to the legacy of the North Sydney Bears and the fans in WA who have a proud tradition and who have kept the candle burning and we need to marry those two things together to make this a huge success." A former high-ranking executive at Seven West Media - the company which owns the AFL broadcast rights - De Ceglie knows the NRL's 18th side has work to do. Already the local Seven West-owned newspaper The West Australian has been critical of the venture which has been backed by WA State government cash. "Normally if you're doing something right, you have a few critics along the way," De Ceglie said. "I've been totally blown away by the amount of messages of people who want to get involved in the Perth Bears … I'm very optimistic this will be a huge success. "It'll be up to the Perth Bears to earn the respect of the newspaper. "If we're a success on the field, and if we're a success off the field, then we should be in those sports pages. "If we're not, the only people missing out are the readers of the newspaper." Meninga is yet to finalise his coaching staff nor a recruitment team who can help him bring the Perth roster together with a relatively short lead-in time. When the Redcliffe-based Dolphins entered the NRL in 2023 they missed out on several big-name targets in the recruitment space. But their squad - which won nine of their 24 games in their inaugural season - earned the respect of rival clubs for their effort and determination. "I don't think we'll have too many worries about talking to players and managers about the opportunity to come play in Perth," Meninga said. "We've got a story to tell. We have to understand what we're trying to achieve and that's my job initially to get the right people and resources around us to help understand what that story is." After unveiling Mal Meninga as the Perth Bears' inaugural head coach, the club's chief executive says criticism of the NRL's start-up franchise is proof they are on the right track to winning new supporters in the AFL-made West. At a press conference at League Central in Sydney on Friday, Meninga signed a three-year contract with the Bears, who will enter the NRL in 2027. It marks the 64-year-old's first foray into club coaching since he left the Canberra Raiders in 2001. Meninga will be 69 by the time his contract expires. The Immortal, who has enjoyed a decorated representative coaching career in charge of Queensland and Australia, will relinquish his role with the Kangaroos ahead of this year's Ashes series to help the Bears build a roster to be competitive in a little over 18 months time. "This is bigger than me," Meninga said. "This new pioneering venture over to WA and the opportunity to be involved in the growth of the game, to grow a club the Perth Bears is too good to refuse. "I feel very honoured, very nervous, and I think it's a huge responsibility." The Bears can talk to off-contract players come November 1, but their hardest challenge may be winning over fans, sponsors and a media who are already heavily invested in the AFL. "Mal is an Immortal of the NRL, he is also an Immortal of our national sporting landscape, Mal is part of the Australian identity and we're honoured he's taken this opportunity," said club chief executive Anthony De Ceglie. "We've gone from one Bear in me, to two Bears in Mal, we've doubled our staff overnight. "It's small steps, we need to listen to the legacy of the North Sydney Bears and the fans in WA who have a proud tradition and who have kept the candle burning and we need to marry those two things together to make this a huge success." A former high-ranking executive at Seven West Media - the company which owns the AFL broadcast rights - De Ceglie knows the NRL's 18th side has work to do. Already the local Seven West-owned newspaper The West Australian has been critical of the venture which has been backed by WA State government cash. "Normally if you're doing something right, you have a few critics along the way," De Ceglie said. "I've been totally blown away by the amount of messages of people who want to get involved in the Perth Bears … I'm very optimistic this will be a huge success. "It'll be up to the Perth Bears to earn the respect of the newspaper. "If we're a success on the field, and if we're a success off the field, then we should be in those sports pages. "If we're not, the only people missing out are the readers of the newspaper." Meninga is yet to finalise his coaching staff nor a recruitment team who can help him bring the Perth roster together with a relatively short lead-in time. When the Redcliffe-based Dolphins entered the NRL in 2023 they missed out on several big-name targets in the recruitment space. But their squad - which won nine of their 24 games in their inaugural season - earned the respect of rival clubs for their effort and determination. "I don't think we'll have too many worries about talking to players and managers about the opportunity to come play in Perth," Meninga said. "We've got a story to tell. We have to understand what we're trying to achieve and that's my job initially to get the right people and resources around us to help understand what that story is."
