Tedesco gives Roosters early lead over Cowboys in Townsville
Winger Daniel Tupou is planning to play for another year at the Sydney Roosters but is ready to agree to a two-year deal in the Super League if the Bondi club do not take him on.
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson confirmed on Tuesday that Tupou would return for the NRL finals after dislocating his shoulder against the Knights last Friday night but there has been no call-up for next year.
Tupou’s choice will be to play for the red-white-blue team in the 16th season. However, the 35-year-old met his agent Sam Ayoub on Monday and informed him that several English Super League clubs have expressed interest in him.
While the chance to sign a two-year deal is tempting, Tupou also knows Super League will be less physically demanding.
Tupou remains one of the best aerial threats in the game and scored a hat-trick in his milestone 300th appearance against the Eels earlier this month. The Super League is known for its attacking football, which suits the Tongan national team.
If Mark Nawaqanitawase leaves the Roosters at the end of the season to return to rugby and Tupou tries his luck abroad, the Roosters have plenty of depth in the form of Cody Ramsey, Tommy Talau, Billy Smith, Manly recruit Reuben Garrick and Tom Rodwell. There is also Rex Bassingthwaighte, who is being groomed as the No.1 successor to James Tedesco, and the club is happy to give future full-backs time on the wing at the start of their careers.
