Talking Points | Round 16

A CLUB LEGEND CALLS TIME

To kick off the week heading into Round 16, Club veteran and one club man Mitchell Aubusson announced that he would retire from rugby league at the conclusion of the 2020 NRL season. 

He will retire from the game as one of just three Roosters to have played 300 games for the Club, and could potentially surpass Anthony Minichiello as the most capped Rooster of all time before all is said and done. 

When asked about the possibility of topping the Tricolours leaderboard, Aubusson clearly stated his main goal before calling time. 

"I'm not too fussed with records, it's about another Premiership for me," Aubusson said when asked about his career.

"It's about going after something special as a group. It's why I play this game, it's why I'm at this Club and it's what I'm after."

At 301 games for the Roosters, Aubusson is tied with Club legend Luke Ricketson and just one game behind Anthony Minichiello. 

He made his NRL debut with the Tricolours in the opening round of the 2007 season and played in four grand finals, winning three of those matches (2013, 2018, 2019).

A CAPTAIN'S RETURN

After missing the last five games of the season, Captain Boyd Cordner is officially set to make his return to the field in Round 16.

The Club medical staff have taken great precaution with Cordner, ensuring that he's feeling 100% healthy before returning to NRL action. 

"I'm very confident in the process," Head Coach Trent Robinson said of Boyd's recovery. 

"As competitive as you are and as brutal as you are in the way you play, you have to look after yourself." 

In seven appearances this season, Cordner is averaging 136 running metres and 90% tackle efficiency.

TOOPS TO PICK UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF

After sustaining a syndesmosis injury in Round 8, Daniel Tupou makes his long awaited return to the left wing position.

Tupou was playing some of the best football of his career before the injury, scoring four tries in eight games and averaging almost 200 running metres per match. 

Assistant Coach Matt King heaped praise on Tupou at this week's Team Talk, showing pure excitement at having the high-flying winger back on the paddock for the Tricolours. 

"For me, Daniel Tupou is right up there with the best wingers in the game," King said. 

"Having Toops back is enormous." 

SITILI MAKES MOST OF OPPORTUNITY

It's not uncommon for players to keep a low profile in the midst of a busy season, but no player has done it with such high achievement than Sitili Tupouniua in 2020.

A quiet achiever on and off the field, Tupouniua has been running with every opportunity presented to him so far this season. 

Round 16 will be his sixth consecutive week in the starting line-up, even retaining his second row position with the return of Captain Boyd Cordner. 

There's a strong next man up mentality at the Roosters and being ready when your number is called, but Sitili Tupouniua has proven that the 17 is where he belongs.

LAST TIME WE MET

While it will be a completely different ball game on Friday night, the last time we met the Brisbane Broncos was in a clinical victory at Suncorp Stadium.

The Roosters posted their biggest ever score on the Broncos, while the Broncos sustained their worst loss in the club's history.

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