Transfer news: Super League move still on the table for prolific winger

A decision has been made regarding the 2025 destination of one of the highest-profile off-contract wingers from the NRL in Daniel Tupou.

Daniel Tupou is someone that plenty of Super League sides have been keeping their eye on with reports emerging just earlier this month that Catalans Dragons had Tupou in a three-man shortlist to help remedy the expected departures of Tom Davies and Tom Johnstone.

That three-man shortlist included Daniel Tupou, fellow NRL flyer Dallin Watene Zelesniak, and Leeds Rhinos’ longest-serving player Ash Handley.

Links to Handley have been silenced by head coach Rohan Smith but there was still hope that Daniel Tupou could make a Super League move, and there’s now further clarification as to whether that will happen.

Super League switch still on the table for Daniel Tupou

Much of the arguments behind Daniel Tupou potentially making either a Super League switch or an exit from his current side Sydney Roosters was due to the depth that the team have.

Not only do they have depth but they have sheer class among their back five with Daniel Tupou at age 32 incredibly the weak link in one of the NRL’s strongest backlines.

That backline consists of three of the four full-backs that started the 2021 World Cup Semi-Finals, with the retired Sam Tomkins being the only exception.

Those men are James Tedesco, Joey Manu and Joseph Suaali’i, whilst their wingers include England international Dom Young and Daniel Tupou himself. Young English prospect Lewis Murphy is also on the books at the club.

With Tupou set to turn 34 next season, it was expected by many that he would be out of the door at the Roosters and the latest reports confirm that uncertainty remains about his future with the Sydney club.

Head coach Trent Robinson has confirmed to the media that “discussions” have been had about Tupou’s future, although he did explain that an overseas move was still possible.

“We’ve definitely had some discussions,” Robinson said.

“He’s one of ours is ‘Toops’ so we’re making sure we guide him in the right way, whether it’s here or overseas.

“I think that will get worked out in the next couple of weeks.”

It would seem there is still a possibility that Tupou could make an “overseas” move to Super League but there is clear affection for him at the Rooster who may want to retain him with the likes of Joey Manu and Joseph Suaali’i set for moves to the 15-man code.

St Helens had been one of the suggested destinations for Tupou with veteran Tommy Makinson set to leave the club and head to Catalans Dragons at the end of the season, per reports.