Winger Bill Tupou has today been granted an early release from his Vodafone Warriors contract to join the Canberra Raiders on a deal through to the end of the 2015 NRL season. Photo: Photosport.
Tupou, who was off contract with the Vodafone Warriors at the end of 2014, has recently been playing for the Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup after nine NRL appearances earlier in the season.
Vodafone Warriors general manager football operations Dean Bell said Tupou had been a model professional and the club was happy for him to secure his long-term future.
Tupou said he had mixed emotions.
Im disappointed to be leaving the Vodafone Warriors but Im really excited about the opportunity the Raiders have given me, said Tupou.
Ill take lots of great memories with me from my time here especially playing in the 2011 NRL grand final and all the mates I have. Ill always be thankful for what the club has done for me ever since I came into the development squad but I want to play a lot more NRL football. Going to the Raiders gives me the best chance to do that.
Tupou said he appreciated the Vodafone Warriors granting him a release to join the Raiders immediately.
He leaves after playing a total of 111 games for the Vodafone Warriors and the Vodafone Junior Warriors. He featured in the clubs foundation NYC team in 2008 going on to play 49 times in three seasons. In his final NYC campaign in 2010 he also made his NRL debut the same year and finishes with 62 appearances in total in which he scored 19 tries.
Tupou, who was off contract with the Vodafone Warriors at the end of 2014, has recently been playing for the Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup after nine NRL appearances earlier in the season.
Vodafone Warriors general manager football operations Dean Bell said Tupou had been a model professional and the club was happy for him to secure his long-term future.
Tupou said he had mixed emotions.
Im disappointed to be leaving the Vodafone Warriors but Im really excited about the opportunity the Raiders have given me, said Tupou.
Ill take lots of great memories with me from my time here especially playing in the 2011 NRL grand final and all the mates I have. Ill always be thankful for what the club has done for me ever since I came into the development squad but I want to play a lot more NRL football. Going to the Raiders gives me the best chance to do that.
Tupou said he appreciated the Vodafone Warriors granting him a release to join the Raiders immediately.
He leaves after playing a total of 111 games for the Vodafone Warriors and the Vodafone Junior Warriors. He featured in the clubs foundation NYC team in 2008 going on to play 49 times in three seasons. In his final NYC campaign in 2010 he also made his NRL debut the same year and finishes with 62 appearances in total in which he scored 19 tries.
