In fitting fashion for his milestone 300th NRL game, Daniel Tupou had a guard of honour to lead him onto the field.
Then he stamped his name into NRL history as he scored three tries to lead his Sydney Roosters team to a 28-12 victory over the Parramatta Eels.
Daniel Tupou takes the field for his 300th NRL game. Getty Images
The hat-trick extended Tupou’s remarkable career tally to 194 tries in 300 games, earning him Man of the Match honours.
The historic milestone was played in front of distinguished guests in the stands, including Tongan royalty Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho and Tongan Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua.
On the field, Tupou commanded the Roosters’ second-half surge. He combined with Billy Smith, showcasing his athleticism by charging down the sideline and leaping gracefully over the corner to wrestle back the lead.
He then put his mark on the milestone match in the 72nd minute, perfectly reading an angled kick out of dummy-half from Benaiah Ioelu to claim his third try of the night.
As rapturous applause rained down from the tricolours faithful, Tupou thanked his teammates and the “old boys” who came to celebrate his career.
With the feat, Tupou becomes just the third player in history to join the exclusive 300 club, a testament to 15 seasons of elite consistency, all spent with the same club. It was also the first time a player had scored a hat-trick in their 300th game.
“I just want to thank…the Sydney Roosters for this opportunity and being able to play all 300 games here. It’s truly a blessing, so thank you,” he said further.
“My teammates, both past and present, especially the old boys today that showed up. It was good to see you guys out there earlier today. So, thank you guys, and to my teammates, thanks for tonight. You guys are everything to me.”
Tupou closed his speech by thanking his family and dedicating the historic evening to the wider rugby league community and the Roosters fans who have backed him since day one.
The Roosters went into half-time with a slim 4-0 lead, but shortly after found themselves trailing when Joash Papalii scored immediately after the resumption.
Tupou’s first restored the Roosters’ lead, which they would never relinquish. All three of Tupou’s tries came within 22 minutes. Billy Smith was the tri-colours’ other try scorer.
The Eels got a late consolation try in the 79th minute through Araz Nanva – the first Kurd to score an NRL try.