Sydney Roosters winger Daniel Tupou another Parramatta Eel that got away Roosters maintain their momentum by beating Dragons on ANZAC Day. CHALK up another entry on Parramatta's list of 'ones that got away', with giant Sydney Roosters winger Daniel Tupou another making a mockery of the Eels' sorrowful retention strategy. Tupou produced a barnstorming display in the 34-10 Anzac Day thumping of St George Illawarra, leading to former NSW coach Phil Gould comparing him to rugby convert Israel Folau. The Eels failed in their chase to land Folau during the off-season, but they had the possible heir apparent under their noses before Tupou was poached by Roosters recruitment genius Peter O'Sullivan. Parramatta had plenty of time to assess the Guilford Owls junior, who played SG Ball and two years in the under-20s in the blue and gold. "Peter O'Sullivan our recruitment officer, he picked me up from Parra," Tupou recalled. Call it luck pretty much. While NSW fans can breathe easy knowing the 21-year-old, 195cm, 103kg behemoth is committed to the Blues, the Parramatta faithful must be scratching their heads wondering just what the Eels recruitment staff is up to. With new coach Ricky Stuart now forced to pay overs to get top line players to the club, the talent drain out of Parramatta over the years is cause for alarm. Michael Jennings (R) of the Roosters celebrates with Daniel Tupou (L). A starting 13 capable of mixing it with the best in the competition could be assembled from players who have been cast off after coming through the Eels system, a list that includes NSW Origin skipper Paul Gallen and brilliant Roosters No.6 James Maloney. Tupou, who has played just nine top grade games and scored a memorable hat-trick in just his second NRL appearance, said he just wanted to keep learning from some of his more seasoned teammates. His opponents are quickly learning all about him, including Dragons backrower Tyson Frizell and halfback Nathan Fien who were both left sprawled on the Allianz Stadium turf during one memorable Tupou run last night. "I'm just learning a lot from them," Tupou said of the players inside him. It's an honour to play with Jenko (Michael Jennings) and Maloney. I'm improving just running off Jenko and hopefully he'll give me some more tries. And while a NSW Origin jumper would be some way off for the devastating flanker, he is hoping a World Cup call-up for Tonga at the end of the year isn't beyond his grasp. Parramatta cast-offs making their mark Nathan Gardner (Sharks) Daniel Tupou (Roosters) Krisnan Inu (Bulldogs) Johnathan Wright (Sharks) David Williams (Sea Eagles) James Maloney (Roosters) Albert Kelly (Titans) Paul Gallen Sharks) Daniel Mortimer (Roosters) David Klemmer (Bulldogs) Tony Williams (Bulldogs) Feleti Mateo (Warriors) Jamie Buhrer (Sea Eagles) Interchange: Kris Keating (Bulldogs) Justin Horo (Sea Eagles) Trent Hodkinson (Bulldogs) Luke O'Dwyer (Titans)