Trent Robinson has declared Daniel Tupou one of the greatest wingers the NRL has ever seen after the mild-mannered veteran moved to fourth on the list of all-time try-scorers.
Tupou crossed for a hat-trick in the Sydney Roosters' 32-12 upset defeat of third-placed Canterbury on Friday and has now notched 182 four-pointers in his 286-game career.
The towering 34-year-old passed Steve Menzies (180) to go fourth and now trails only Billy Slater (190), Alex Johnston (209) and Ken Irvine (212).
Robinson, who coached Menzies at French club Catalans, said the legendary second-rower would have been proud of Tupou's feat.
"It's a pretty nice bloke to take over," the Roosters coach said.
"I was lucky enough to coach Beaver and the old back-rower's gone back to fifth but he'll be happy for 'Toops', I know that."
Tupou's sixth hat-trick came in classic style, with his first two four-pointers scored from pinpoint Sam Walker kicks that he touched down in the corner.
As South Sydney's Johnston prepares to pass Irvine as the NRL's all-time leading tryscorer, Robinson said it couldn't be forgotten how much Tupou had done for the wing position.
The likes of Xavier Coates, Zac Lomax and Jason Saab are among other wingers to have succeeded in Tupou's image, thriving with their silky hands and aerial prowess.
"I think Tupou is the one that's led the way," Robinson said.
"I know Xavier Coates is doing a really good job on that, but I think 'Toops' has been the first guy that's really owned the air in this game, for over a decade.
"He's one of the best wingers of all time, and he's certainly the best Polynesian winger."
Robinson pondered whether anyone in rugby league history would have come close to Tupou for tries scored from high kicks.
No other player in the top-10 try-scoring list is a winger with his hulking frame and athletic ability.
"He has changed the shape of defence as far as the high-ball catch," Robinson said.
"He'd have more high-ball catches than any other person in the game by an absolute mile."
