On Saturday the Roosters' rookie will join Mate Ma'a Tonga on centre stage, making his international debut against his native New Zealand and capping a whirlwind rise in 2019.
Tupouniua will come off the bench for Kristian Woolfe's side against the Kiwis, who he represented at under 20s level as an Auckland-born and raised product before shifting to Bondi at age 17.
His parents' full-blooded Tongan heritage sees Tupouniua bolster one of rugby league's most formidable forward packs after just eight first grade games.
