'My best is ahead of me': Tupouniua thriving at Bulldogs
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Bulldogs strike forward Sitili Tupouniua admits he needed to get out of his comfort zone at Sydney Roosters and believes he can take his game to the next level after a fresh start at Belmore.
Tupouniua, who joined Canterbury after being released from the remaining three years of his Sydney Roosters contract during the club’s pursuit of Titans second-rower David Fifita, made a stunning debut for his new club in Saturday’s 28-20 defeat of the Dragons.
The Tongan international scored two tries in six minutes as the Bulldogs stormed to a 28-6 lead before St George Illawarra fought back with three late tries.
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Sitili Tupouniua 1st Try
“I just wanted to earn the respect of the boys,” Tupouniua said. “I am happy that they trusted me, and I am looking forward to the season ahead.
“I was at the Roosters for a long time and I still respect the club so much for allowing me to have the career that I have had.
"Now it is just for me to take it to the next level and step out of my comfort zone so it was a good start.”
After a troublesome few years, suffering an ACL rupture in 2022 and serious back injury in 2023, Tupouniua credited a full pre-season under Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo as the reason behind his stunning Round 1 form.
“It’s been good. I’ve had a few injuries the last couple of years, and I was able to get a solid pre-season,” he said.
“I had a hamstring injury that came good, but it was the best I have felt coming into a season.”
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Sitili Tupouniua 2nd Try
Despite his unexpected departure from Bondi due to salary cap pressure after the Roosters re-signed Angus Crichton when the Fifita deal collapsed, Tupouniua still holds the club and coach Trent Robinson in high regard.
After also losing Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Terrell May, Luke Keary, Joey Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'I, the depth at the Roosters was severely exposed in last Thursday night’s 50-12 loss to the Broncos but Tupouniua backed them to bounce back.
“Obviously they have got a lot of young guys there but give them time and they will come good. They have got Robbo and they have still got quality players so I’m not writing them off at all,” he said.
“There is no bad blood there from me. That is in the past. I just feel like it was meant to be. It is a fresh start for me, and I feel like it was a good start.”
At 27 years-of-age, Tupouniua believes his best football is still ahead of him and has vowed to finally fulfil his potential at the Bulldogs, with whom he agreed to a four-year deal to play alongside Stephen Crichton and Viliame Kikau.
“I just saw the direction that they were heading and talking to Ciro, with the culture that they had here it was something I wanted to be a part of,” he said.
“They just wanted me to come and bring energy, whether I am playing on an edge or coming off the bench. If I can stay injury free and stay on the field, I know that my best footy is still ahead of me.
“Playing with Critta, Kiks and those players, the way they play it starts from their training and the way they prep … it is something I have taken into my game, just the way I am preparing and the mindset I have going into games.”
Match: Bulldogs v Titans
Round 2 -
home Team
Bulldogs
3rd Position
away Team
Titans
13th Position
Venue: Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney
