Roosters skipper James Tedesco says no one will ever be able to properly replace legendary winger Daniel Tupou given everything he did for the club.
But he is confident in the talent coming through including rising star Rex Bassingthwaighte, who got a taste of first grade this year and is in the mix to get a spot on the wing in 2027.
Whoever comes in will have big boots to fill after Tupou retired following a decorated career where he scored 198 tries and won four premierships for the club.
He had indicated that he would play on again in 2027, but leaving with another title was the perfect time to call it quits, with the veteran winger breaking the news to his teammates at the Beach Road Hotel in Bondi.
“The most memorable (thing of the past week) was Tupou telling us he’s retiring at the pub on Tuesday,” Tedesco told the NewsWire.
“It was just the players there and he hadn’t really told many people apart from Robbo (coach Trent Robinson).
“That was pretty emotional because I’ve spent a lot of time with ‘Toops’. I think I knew it was coming, but just hearing it is always hard. But it was more happiness for him and his career, and sending him out on a high was pretty cool.”
Robinson described Tupou as his “safety blanket” at the club’s awards night last week, with few wingers able to be as consistent in yardage and as spectacular under the high ball for so long.
“It’s hard to think of ever replacing him. I don’t think anyone can ever replace Toops as a player but also the person,” Tedesco said.
“I agree with Robbo because I felt so comfortable knowing he’s on the left wing in the back five with me. He’s always going to take those catches, take those carries, and do his job consistently every game, so I don’t think you can ever replace someone like him.
“He’s shown how you be a rugby league player, how you be a humble man on and off the field, and I think that’ll inspire a lot of young, not just Tongans, but young players coming through.”
The Roosters have also lost superstar winger Mark Nawaqanitawase to rugby after an extraordinary couple of seasons in rugby league, but they have signed Manly’s Reuben Garrick and have retained Tommy Talau.
Garrick will likely get one spot, with Bassingthwaighte, 19, another option who is regarded as a future fullback at the club.
That young talent will be crucial for the Roosters who have lost a lot of established stars, but the premiers are confident they have future stars already in their system after their SG Ball team (under 19s) won the comp for the second year in a row.
“I think he’s still developing, he’s still got the build and the size to play anywhere in the outside backs,” Tedesco said of the youngster who scored three tries in three NRL games last season.
“But I think he’s still growing into his body, so another year of pre-season will set him up nicely to have those backfield carries and own anywhere in the backline.
“Wing can be a nice starting position for a young outside back and we’ve had a really good connection over the last year or so … I’m really enjoying the development of Rex.”
Originally published as ‘I don’t think anyone can ever replace Toops’: Teen sensation in the mix to fill the massive boots of retired Roosters star