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Nephew of inaugural Warrior signs with Bulldogs.

The Canterbury Bulldogs have signed promising young New Zealand star Roy Tatupu.

Tatupu, the nephew of former New Zealand and Western Samoa international representative Tony Tatupu, was a member of the Warriors’ inaugural team when they joined what was then the ARL as the Auckland Warriors in 1995.

Tony went on to play 67 games with the Warriors over two stints, as well as with the Warrington Wolves and Wakefield Trinity in England, before retiring in 2001.

Roy, who stands 190 centimetres and weighs 94 kilos, has been named to New Zealand’s open men’s volleyball squad for 2024. He has also shown promise in rugby union, having attended the Blues rugby academy in Auckland.

According to his management, Ginnen Group Sports, he has also represented New Zealand in softball, won the top sportsman award at his school, Mt Albert Grammar, in 2023, and was voted the best overall sportsperson of the year at the College Spot Auckland Awards.

He has decided to pursue a career in rugby league, and Wide World of Sports reports that he has signed a two-year contract with the Bulldogs, where he has already begun training.

Phil Gould, Bulldogs director of football, told the publication that he is already impressing.

“Roy is going OK in the week or so he has been here – he has shown some really good signs at training,” Mr. Gould added.

It’s unknown at this moment exactly what his contract is with the Bulldogs, but given his age, it’s likely he will be on a pathways agreement with the possibility of progression to a development deal in 2025