Wakefield Trinity centre Bill Tupou’s career comes to an end

Wakefield Trinity have already announced today that star winger Tom Johnstone will be leaving the club next year to join Catalans Dragons, but his partner in crime will also be leaving the club.

Johnstone has taken up a two-year deal at Catalans which starts next year with the winger stating: “I want to win the Grand Final.”

However, the centre he was so effective on the outside of will also not play for Trinity again as Bill Tupou announces his retirement from the game.

He joined the club in 2015 and the 32-year-old was crucial in securing back-to-back fifth place finishes in 2017 and 2018 – the highest finishes in the club’s Super League history.

But now his steller career has come to an end after receiving medical advice.

Speaking to Wakefield’s website on the decision, the centre said: “I’ve loved every minute of my time at this Club and we’ve had some brilliant memories along the way.

“Having joined in 2015, I never envisaged staying this long but I can truly say that my family and I are eternally grateful for the years we have spent in Wakefield and at this Club.

“I have enjoyed some special memories along the way that will stay with me for life and also shared the dressing room with some outstanding people who are true friends.

“Although I didn’t want to call it a day in this particular way, following medical advice, I felt that this was the right decision.

“To our supporters, my teammates, staff, my sponsor The Blakeley Family and everyone else associated with the Club, I would like to thank you all for being part of my amazing journey.”

Chief Executive, Michael Carter, has paid tribute to Bill and said: “Bill came to this Club at a difficult time and played his part in ensuring survival.

“He then turned into one of the most feared threequarters in the competition and made the Super League Dream Team.

“He has been an absolute pleasure to have at the Club and we all wish Bill and his family the very best for the future.”