BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 15: Junior Tupou of the Tigers is congratulated by team mates after scoring a try during the round 10 NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium, on May 15, 2022, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
The Dolphins have officially announced the acquisition of Junior Tupou, the winger from Wests Tigers, on a three-year contract starting in 2025.
Tupou, currently with the Tigers, will relocate to Redcliffe at the conclusion of the upcoming season, marking the end of his three-year tenure with the New South Wales team. Despite facing challenges during this year’s NRL campaign, the 21-year-old showcased his skills in 22 games, scoring six tries.
Having remained unsigned beyond the November signing deadline for the next year, Tupou has made the decision to make 2024 his final year at Concord and subsequently transition to the Dolphins. Terry Reader, the CEO of the Dolphins, expressed enthusiasm about the signing, emphasizing Tupou’s potential to enhance the team’s depth and contribute as a powerful runner.
In a statement, Reader highlighted Tupou’s status as one of the most promising young backs in the NRL, praising his dynamic playing style and predicting significant improvement given his age. The Dolphins view Tupou as a valuable addition to their evolving roster as they aim to establish themselves as a formidable club in the future.
Since his debut in 2022, Tupou has participated in 26 NRL games and has also gained experience with the Junior Wallabies and received representative honors at the junior level in New South Wales. With this signing, Tupou becomes the first addition to the Dolphins’ roster for the 2025 season, contributing to the club’s robust recruitment efforts, which include securing players like Herbie Farnworth, Tom Flegler, and Jake Averillo for the upcoming 2024 season.
