Veteran Sydney Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has been ruled out of the club’s Round 25 clash with Parramatta on Saturday night.
A three-try hero in last week’s resounding win over the Canterbury Bulldogs, the 34-year old has been replaced by Junior Tupou who will make his club debut after signing with the Roosters on a mid-season transfer from the Dolphins.
“Tupou (Daniel) displayed symptoms of concussion following Round 24, with the club taking a cautious approach in not playing him this week,” Roosters officials explained of the towering winger’s absence when team lists were announced.
Junior Tupou, 23, joined the Dolphins on a three-year deal last offseason but was released before the June 30 deadline to link with the Roosters after playing just two NRL games for the Phins in 2025.
MORE: NRL team lists: Every side’s confirmed lineup for Round 25
Following his promotion into the Roosters starting side to face the Eels, Tupou will join a select group of players to run out in first-grade for three different NRL clubs in less than a year.
At the time of Tupou’s release from the Dolphins, it was thought to be aimed at freeing up cap space ahead of the mid-season arrival Selwyn Cobbo from the Broncos—a move that ultimately never eventuated.
Since linking with the Tricolours as cover for departed English winger Dom Young, the talented young back has appeared in six NSW Cup games for the Roosters, mostly in the centres.
Junior Tupou was born in Auckland and moved to Canberra as a 14-year-old.
He played 34 matches for the Wests Tigers between 2022-24 scoring ten tries.