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Full Noise by SN
Important update on 1476AMNo end in sight for Air Tupou with another year looming
Scott Bailey, AAP •  April 7th, 2026 12:25 pm
Daniel Tupou is eyeing off Roosters history as he contemplates a contract for 2027 | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
Daniel Tupou says he is inspired by the prospect of being one of the most-capped Sydney Roosters of all time as he eyes off playing beyond his 36th birthday.
Tupou remains off contract at the end of this year, but believes he is playing as well as ever despite now being in the 15th season of his career.
The Roosters winger will turn 35 in June, but has scored 42 tries since the start of 2024 and has enjoyed a relatively injury-free run throughout his career.
Tupou is on track to next month join Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Mitch Aubusson, Anthony Minichiello and Luke Ricketson as Roosters with 300 games for the club.
Tupou is close to becoming the most capped Rooster of all time | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
He also requires just 18 more games to overtake Waerea-Hargreaves as the most-capped Rooster of all time, a mark he will surpass later this season if he stays fit.
"It would definitely mean a lot," he said.
"Especially as a one-club man. Just for myself and my family, it would be awesome to tick that off.
"I've walked past that wall every day and I see (the photos of the club's 300-game players), and it just gives me motivation to be part of that. It would be awesome."
Tupou has typically been hesitant to discuss his long-term future, but indicated this week he wanted to play on into 2027 and that he wanted to settle that plan.
But he does believe he is playing as well as ever, after debuting for the Roosters in 2012 and scoring a try in their grand-final success the following year.
Tupou is bearing down on the magical 200-try barrier | Photo: Steven Markham/AAP
"I am surrounded by a great bunch of blokes all working towards a common goal of playing consistent footy and winning games," Tupou said.
"I always talk to my wife at home about it. I am still pinching myself that I am still playing and still healthy.
"I'm extremely blessed and grateful. I never would have thought I would still be playing at the moment."
If Tupou does play on next year, all types of records are in sight.
The Tongan flyer now has 185 tries, and could become just the third man in history to reach 200.
Ken Irvine's recently-eclipsed mark of 212 could also be in sight, but the three-time premiership winner does concede hauling in South Sydney's 31-year-old Alex Johnston won't happen.
"AJ is on his own," Tupou said.
"He is too far ahead and he deserves it. I am just trying to do my part for the team and play good footy.
"I've just been trying to stay healthy and be the best asset I can be for the team."
