'No bad blood': New Bulldog shines as Roosters toil
After Trent Robinson's side were pumped 50-14 by Brisbane last Thursday, Tupouniua was lighting it up on his debut for the Bulldogs by clocking up 148m and five tackle busts to lead Cameron Ciraldo's side to Saturday's 28-20 win over St George Illawarra.
The Tongan forward's impressive performance netted him three Dally M votes and in turn has prompted fresh questions over the Roosters' recruitment and retention.
Tupouniua insists there is "no bad blood" after he was told he was free to leave the Tricolours midway through last season, seven months after he penned a three-year contract extension.
Not a bad day to be Tupouniua 💪 #NRLDragonsBulldogs pic.twitter.com/oA8pNMOyJB
— NRL (@NRL) March 8, 2025
It was a similar story for prop Terrell May, who was also moved on by the Bondi club before Christmas despite agreeing to a new deal last April.
May was a standout on his NRL debut for Wests Tigers.
The exits of Tupouniua, May, Luke Keary, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Joey Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii represented 953 games of NRL experience that left the club over the off-season.
The Roosters say they are happy to back their next crop of talented juniors to fill the void over time but may face further growing pains as they blood their next generation.
"Obviously it's in the past now and there's no bad blood there," Tupouniua said.
"It was just meant to be and it (moving to Canterbury) was a fresh start for me.
"They have a lot of young guys there and I feel like, give them time and they'll come good.
"They've still got quality players, so I'm not writing them off at all."
Life doesn't get any easier for the Roosters, who face four-time defending premiers Penrith on Friday - a side they haven't beaten since 2019.
Canterbury, meanwhile, will be aiming to gun down Gold Coast on their return to Belmore.
Tupouniua played as a prop against the Dragons and is happy to play as an edge forward.
"I saw the direction that they were heading and talking to 'Ciro', with the culture that they had here it was something I wanted to be a part of," he said.
"They just wanted me to come and bring energy, whether I am playing on an edge or coming off the bench.
"If I can stay injury free and stay on the field, I know that my best footy is still ahead of me."
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