Tupou on the brink of Roosters history as grand final specialist
Veteran winger Daniel Tupou is set to cement his status as a Sydney Roosters legend with a fourth premiership win on Sunday. With a reputation for performing under pressure, Tupou's calm demeanour and focus on the present moment have been key to his success.
Daniel Tupou is a name synonymous with the Sydney Roosters, and as the team prepares to take on Newcastle in the NRL decider, the veteran winger's reputation as a grand final specialist continues to grow.
A win on Sunday will see Tupou, already the club's highest-ever tryscorer and closing in on being their most capped player, become the first Rooster to win four premierships with the club since the 1940s.
Tupou has been a mainstay of the Roosters' success in recent years, featuring in all three of their grand final wins under coach Trent Robinson. His performances in these high-pressure games have cemented his status as one of the best wingers of the modern era.
Looking back on his first grand final win in 2013, Tupou recalled: "I can't remember much, to be honest it's a bit of a blur, it was such a long time ago. Most of these boys are where I was in 2013 — I was the same age then as Rob Toia is now."
When asked about his try in that game, which came against a Manly side containing future teammate Daly Cherry-Evans, Tupou said: "He's (Cherry-Evans) has never brought it up. I might not bring it up this week, not until after the game on Sunday at least."
Tupou's ability to perform under pressure has been a hallmark of his career, and he credits his calm demeanour and focus on the present moment for his success. "You have to stay calm and collected. Enjoy the week and the hype around it, enjoy the atmosphere once we hit the field but embrace the vibe, embrace the energy," he said.
"There's a lot of stuff to tick off, but you have to enjoy every bit of it. Just stay present. Don't overthink, be where your feet are."
As the Roosters prepare to take on Newcastle, Tupou will be looking to inspire a new generation of players, many of whom will be experiencing their first grand final. "It's in the preparation. We've worked so hard during the year to earn this moment," he said.
"It's nothing less than what we've already done, we just have to stay consistent."