Anthony Tupou is regarded as one of the most exciting rugby league prospects to emerge in recent years.

The Newcastle-born prop was earmarked to play first grade debut in 2003 but suffered a broken leg in a freak training accident only days before his scheduled first grade debut.

He bounced back in 2004 to start the season in first grade – and never looked back. Tupou featured in 24 games as the Roosters qualified for their third successive grand final.

In the process, he won plenty of fans with his brilliant play off the interchange bench.

The classy forward has strength, footwork and an innate ability to off-load in traffic – all the hallmarks of a great front rower.

He regularly tore apart defences as the Roosters won the minor premiership and marched towards the title decider.

So impressive was Tupou’s play, the gifted ball player was even mentioned as a possible Kangaroo tour bolter. He missed out but finished 2005 as a member of the Prime Minister's XIII side which played PNG.

It seem only a matter of time before Tupou joins rugby league’s elite in the State of Origin and Test arenas.