Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs strike forward Sitili Tupouniua admits he needed to get out of his comfort zone and believes he can take his game to the next level after a fresh start at Belmore.
Tupouniua, who joined Canterbury after being released from the remaining three years of his Sydney Roosters contract, made a stunning debut for his new Club in Saturday’s 28-20 defeat of the St George Illawarra Dragons.
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Sitili Tupouniua Scores on Club Debut
The Tongan international scored two tries in six minutes as the Bulldogs stormed to a 28-6 lead before the Dragons fought back with three late tries.
“I just wanted to earn the respect of the boys,” Tupouniua said.
I am happy that they trusted me, and I am looking forward to the season ahead.
"Now it is just for me to take it to the next level and step out of my comfort zone so it was a good start.”
After a troublesome few years, suffering an ACL rupture in 2022 and serious back injury in 2023, Tupouniua credited a full pre-season under Head Coach Cameron Ciraldo as the reason behind his stunning Round 1 form.
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That's Two for New Bulldog Tupouniua!
“It’s been good. I’ve had a few injuries the last couple of years, and I was able to get a solid pre-season,” he said.
“I had a hamstring injury that came good, but it was the best I have felt coming into a season.”
At 27 years-of-age, Tupouniua believes his best football is still ahead of him and has vowed to finally fulfil his potential at the Bulldogs, with whom he agreed to a four-year deal to play alongside Stephen Crichton and Viliame Kikau.
“I just saw the direction that they were heading and talking to Ciro, with the culture that they had here it was something I wanted to be a part of,” he said.
They just wanted me to come and bring energy, whether I am playing on an edge or coming off the bench. If I can stay injury free and stay on the field, I know that my best footy is still ahead of me.
“Playing with Critta, Kiks and those players, the way they play it starts from their training and the way they prep…it is something I have taken into my game, just the way I am preparing and the mindset I have going into games.”
