Sitili Tupouniua is in the midst of one of the most arduous and time-consuming recovery periods in sport, but the strike second rower is happy to bide his time.
While enjoying a strong campaign in his fourth season in the NRL, Tupouniua was struck down with the dreaded ACL rupture in the Roosters' 54-26 thumping of St George Illawarra in Round 18 last season.
Although he is undergoing the first major injury layoff, the time off has been a blessing according to the 25-year-old, allowing him to spend quality time back home and travel across the land of the long white cloud.
“It was a good break,” Tupouniua said in his first interview since returning to Roosters HQ.
“I went home and saw my family (back in New Zealand) and spent time with them and my girlfriend and went to Queenstown for a week.
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“This injury sucks but I think it’ll be a blessing in disguise allowing me to get away, and I’m hungrier and keener to play than ever before.
“It’s felt like it has been a while since doing it, but having that time off and going home helped a lot. It’s a long process but I’m happy that I’m back walking around now and getting back to normal.
“The first month was pretty tough in crutches and in the brace but I’m getting it stronger and getting the range back now."
In a double blow for Trent Robinson's squad, centre Billy Smith also came off the field with the very same injury in the very same match - lessening the blow for Tupouniua with a rehabilitation buddy.
Having Bill there doing rehab together, it’s been good. It’s sad for him, but at the same time, he’s taught me a lot. He knows plenty and he knows what he’s doing. I’ve been following his lead, he’s been telling me what to do. I enjoy having him around and he's good company.
Sitili Tupouniua On having Billy Smith alongside him through their recovery
He also lauded the support network of the Club's coaching staff who have assisted in the process at the brand-new Centre of Excellence within Allianz Stadium.
“The staff have been mad and I’ve been enjoying doing a lot of upper body work trying to get the chest and arms,” he laughed.
“We’ve got Ryles (Assistant Coach Jason Ryles), it’s good to have Patty back (Strength and Conditioning Coach Patrick Lane) and Ads (Physiotherapist Adam Bentley).
"They've got us on the assault bike which is tough, but I’m enjoying it. There’s a lot more space than before. It’s pretty sick, hey. It helps a lot going into a new environment and a new space and I’m enjoying it.
“Having Bill there doing rehab together, it’s been good. It’s sad for him, but at the same time, he’s taught me a lot. He knows plenty and he knows what he’s doing.
"I’ve been following his lead, he’s been telling me what to do. I enjoy having him around and he's good company."
While it's still unsure exactly when Tupouniua will be back running off his halves at breakneck speed to add to his impressive try tally, the Tongan international will be giving himself the best possible chance to return at full strength, no matter how long it takes.
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“I’m trying to learn to be patient," he admitted.
"There have been times when I’ve really tried to push it and ask ‘Can we move on, can we do something else?'.
"But I’ve accepted that it’s going to take a certain amount of time so I’ve just got to be patient. I’ve still got ages to go but I’m taking it day by day.
“Hopefully I’ll be back on the training field early next year and maybe before Christmas. It’s just about getting it strong and getting the range back.
“Right now, I’m focusing on getting it back to being 100% but I really am looking forward to looking to 2023.”
