Roosters to backflip with new contract for veteran winger

The Sydney Roosters are set to throw Daniel Tupou an NRL career lifeline with the club forced to act after missing out on Dane Gagai.

Daniel Tupou of the Roosters. Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images.

The Sydney Roosters are set to sign winger Daniel Tupou to a one-year extension on the back of Dane Gagai’s decision to spurn a contract offer from the Tricolours and remain in Newcastle.

There were talks that Tupou may either retire or head overseas at the end of this season, however the Roosters will reportedly give a 12-month extension to the veteran according to The Daily Telegraph.

The Roosters will lose a raft of experience at season’s end, with Joey Manu, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Luke Keary all leaving the club.

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Daniel Tupou of the Roosters. Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson said that a deal with Tupou will be “worked out in the next couple of weeks.

“We’ve definitely had some discussions,“ Robinson said.

“He’s one of ours ‘Toops’ so we’re making sure we guide him in the right way, whether it’s here or overseas.

“I think that will get worked out in the next couple of weeks.“

In what is his 13th season, Tupou has scored five tries in seven games.

REASON STORM WON’T CHASE TPJ

Storm CEO Justin Rodski has denied the club will make a play for former Bulldogs star Tevita Pangai Jr, despite interest from coach Craig Bellamy.

Rodski told 2GB Radio that Pangai Jr’s time away from the game to pursue boxing after retiring from rugby league prevents him from being a suitable option for a mid-season signing.

“He hasn’t been playing rugby league and if we’re going to be looking at filling a gap for our list this year we needed someone that would be ready to come in and play straight away,” Rodski said.

“So I don’t think there’ll be any movement there.”

It was revealed last week that eight months after announcing his retirement from the NRL, Tevita Pangai Junior is set to quit professional boxing to return to the game.

Newscorp reported Pangai Junior has had preliminary talks with Craig Bellamy after his management reached out to the Storm coach.

Pangai Junior’s brother and manager, David, confirmed to News Corp that there has been contact with the Storm.

“Craig Bellamy has indicated he is keen, but there’s been no offer from the Storm,” he said.

“There’s interest, but nothing is signed, so we’ll keep talking with them.”

It’s a dramatic change of heart for Pangai Junior, who walked out on the final year of his contract at the Bulldogs — said to be worth $750,000 — to pursue a professional boxing career last August.

Originally published as Roosters to backflip with new contract for veteran winger