Roosters’ code-hopper to back up for Tupou milestone

Joanna Guelas | July 10, 2026

Sydney Roosters star Mark Nawaqanitawase is set to back up against Parramatta after helping NSW to a rousing State of Origin series victory.

But fellow Blues representatives James Tedesco, Sam Walker and Reece Robson won’t be in the line-up at Allianz Stadium to help mark star winger Daniel Tupou’s 300th game in Saturday’s clash against the Eels.

While half Walker and hooker Robson have been given time to recover, fullback Tedesco is set to miss at least two games after clashing heads with Queensland’s Briton Nikora in Wednesday’s series decider at Suncorp Stadium.

Hugo Savala and Connor Watson will come in for Walker and Robson, while Cody Ramsey or Rex Bassingthwaighte are options as cover for Tedesco.

Robinson had named Walker and Robson on the extended bench before NSW’s 30-12 triumph over Queensland.

Asked if the intention was to play the NSW duo, Robinson said on Friday: “No, I’ve been pretty clear about naming the guys in the order that I want to play them there.

“You’re obviously not sure, you have to name them before Origin, so there’ll be some of those guys that won’t play.

“Teddy won’t be playing obviously after the other night, he’ll be out but the rest that I’ve selected there will be ready to go.”

Robinson added the decision to rest Origin debutant Walker was made before the decider.

“I’m going to stick with that and allow that time to recover,” Robinson said.

“There’s a need to recover these guys at different stages to make sure they’re back ready to go.”

Star winger Tupou will finally reach the 300-game milestone, having been sidelined with a calf injury since round 11.

Tupou, 35, joins Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Mitch Aubusson, Anthony Minichiello and Luke Ricketson as Roosters with 300 games for the club.

A well-loved servant of the club, Robinson heaped praise on the “selfless” Tongan flyer and his legacy – from the iconic ‘Air Tupou’ try in Sydney’s 2013 grand-final victory to his blistering break down the left wing to set up Tedesco’s premiership-sealing match-winner in 2019.

“There are moments like those that define who ‘Toops’ is to everybody,” Robinson said.

“But it’s the play the ball a metre off from your own line and ‘Toops’ comes around without hesitation and takes that carry.

“It’s the amount of times that he’s done that … and that’s the story of a player.

“How do you do the hard stuff on a consistent basis? The selfless stuff, the stuff that people overlook? To then play long enough to create those moments and finish those moments?

“That’s the mark of a man.

“There’s a whole mix of emotions that I have with ‘Toops’, but I’m really proud of the player he is and the man that he is. We’ll honour him tomorrow.”