When Daniel Tupou dons the Tricolours jersey for Round 1 of his twelfth season as a Sydney Rooster, Anthony Minichiello’s looming try-scoring record will be in the back of his mind, but not for the reason you may believe.
The towering winger began his journey in the Red, White and Blue back in 2012 against the Canberra Raiders. In just his second game as a Rooster, he bagged a hat-trick in front of 15,736 fans at Allianz Stadium playing the Wests Tigers. That was just the start of something special.
Now, the decorated star, who was once just a kid with a dream, is approaching an all-time Club record. He has played for Australia, Tonga and the NSW Blues, won three premierships and three World Club Challenges, but you will never hear him gloat about it.
“It’s kinda always been like that for me, the 31-year-old said. “Everyone that knows me, know I’m more of a quiet guy and I like to keep it that way.”
“I like to keep my achievements as quiet as I can and just do my part in the background. I don’t want to overthink it or get out of my comfort zone.”
A dedicated member of Trent Robinson’s team, Tupou is more worried about achieving more than Minichiello, the Roosters icon wrote his way into NRL history books as the first fullback to captain his team to grand final glory since 1934.
“I’m blessed to be able to come so close to reaching that milestone, but at the same time I don’t want it to be my main focus. I also don’t want to beat Mini’s amazing Roosters milestone,” Tupou joked.
“He’s an all-time Roosters great and I don’t want to go past his milestone. He is one of the best players to have ever put on the jersey.”
Tupou admits it would be an awesome feeling to become the Roosters top try-scorer if he bags seven four-pointers this season, but says he’s more committed to perfecting the basics ahead of Sunday’s Round 1 clash against the competition’s newest Club, the Dolphins.
“I just want to play good, consistent footy and do my part for the team. Obviously if that comes, I’ll definitely be grateful.”
“Right now, I just want to perform at my best and improve on the little things we’re continuing to work on every day. I need to be ready for whatever opportunities come my way.”
Every Try | Daniel Tupou 2022
Returning from Tonga’s Rugby League World Cup campaign, Tupou says he enjoyed seeing Roosters Academy member, Siua Wong, also getting the opportunity to represent his Fijian heritage while overseas.
“It was great to see Siua get a run for Fiji. There were a fair few Roosters representing in the World Cup which was awesome to see.”
“It was a great experience to play for my parent’s background and heritage, it always is. Obviously, it wasn’t the result that we wanted for Tonga, but we took some great memories and lessons out of the experience.”
Tupou will become the sixth most capped Rooster, should he play more than 20 games this season. Celebrating his 200th game in 2021, the well-loved Club figure currently sits at 223 games in the Tricolours jersey, just one game behind Shaun Kenny-Dowall.
But the outside back will continue to break records and achieve milestones with little recognition, because for him, the most important aspect of his game is ensuring his team succeeds on-field.
“I’m ready to set my mark this Sunday and carry that standard of footy throughout the season. We’re all ready to get the year underway and perform at our best.”
The Sydney Roosters commence their 2023 campaign against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday at 4:05pm (AEDT). Grab your tickets here or head to Easts Bondi Junction to witness the action at Artie’s Bar.
