Junior Tupou joins Roosters, Dolphins clear roster spot for Selwyn Cobbo
The Roosters are the big winner after the Dolphins made a pre-emptive roster cull to facilitate the mid-season transfer of Selwyn Cobbo.
Junior Tupou has played his last game for the Dolphins opening the door for Selwyn Cobbo to make a mid-season switch to the club should the Broncos let him go.
It is understood that Tupou will join the Roosters immediately as a replacement for Dom Young who left the club two weeks ago to sign with the Knights.
The move means the Dolphins could accommodate Cobbo immediately should Brisbane decide to release him from the final months of his contract. The Broncos have so far shown no urgency in letting Cobbo out of his deal early after the Queensland and Australian outside back announced he would join the Dolphins on a 12-month deal from next season.
The two parties are expected to again speak on Sunday to see if they can finalise any sort of deal before Monday’s June 30 deadline.
The Roosters have pounced on Tupou to provide them some much needed cover to their outside back following Young’s decision to leave. Veteran Daniel Tupou may also play in the final months of his career as he ponders retiring at the end of the season.
Junior Tupou’s stint at the Dolphins lasted just two games having signed a three year deal to join the Dolphins after a successful stint at the Tigers.
Tupou played in the Dolphins’ opening two games of the season but has not been seen in first grade since. He had been named to start on the wing for the Dolphins clash against South Sydney on Saturday night but dropped out of the squad given his impending switch.
The 22-year-old played 34 games, scoring 10 tries during his three year stint at the Tigers.
He will be in line to make his Roosters debut against the Tigers next Sunday given Rob Toia’s likely inclusion in the Queensland team.
