Dolphins player makes immediate switch to Roosters to make room for Cobbo
The Sydney Roosters have signed Dolphins winger Junior Tupou with immediate effect, paving the way for the Dolphins to potentially land Selwyn Cobbo before June 30. Tupou was initially named on the wing for the Dolphins' clash with South Sydney on Saturday night, but he was replaced by Max Feagai in the 24-hour update on Friday.
The reason for Tupou's withdrawal has since been revealed, with the winger making an immediate transfer to the Roosters. The Dolphins' decision to part ways with Tupou is believed to be a move designed around freeing up salary cap space in case the Broncos decide to release Cobbo early.
The Dolphins announced on Thursday they'd signed Cobbo for 2026, but the Queensland club remain hopeful of bringing him on board this season. Under NRL rules, player transfers are only allowed before June 30, meaning the Dolphins are cutting it fine.
The Broncos are playing hard ball with Cobbo and refusing to let him leave early, with coach Michael Maguire believing he still has a key role to play in 2025 despite dumping him to reserve grade. Speaking on SEN radio on Thursday, former Broncos player Denan Kemp revealed he'd been informed there's only one club Brisbane wouldn't allow Cobbo to join this season - and it's the Dolphins.
The Broncos and Dolphins are arch-rivals and both based in Brisbane, making it unlikely Maguire's side would be willing to help out their cross-town counterparts. "I got it on good authority that there was only one club the Broncos said 'you're not allowed to go to early'. And it was the Dolphins," Kemp reported. "They literally said there was only one club."
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Matty Johns said he wouldn't be letting Cobbo walk early either. "It's good to see that rivalry," Johns said. "If I'm Madge (Michael Maguire), I wouldn't let Selwyn go early either. At the end of the day, they've got Reece (Walsh) on one leg...you need to have depth in your squad. You can't just let quality players walk out the door."
Tupou's move to the Roosters is a curious one considering a wing spot just opened up at the Dolphins with Jack Bostock suffering a season-ending ACL injury. Tupou has played 37 NRL games across stints with the Wests Tigers and Dolphins, and will take the roster spot vacated by Dom Young's move from the Roosters to Newcastle.
But even with Young's departure, Tupou will still struggle to crack the Roosters' first-grade team. Mark Nawaqanitawase and Daniel Tupou have cemented themselves as the wingers, with Billy Smith and Robert Toia in the centres. Tupou might be used in Round 18 when the Roosters take on the Tigers, with Toia set to be in State of Origin camp with Queensland.
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