Tupou, 25, knew he could place his faith in familiar coach Ricky Stuart, and a team on the rise.

``I'm pretty lucky to come into such a strong side,'' Tupou said. ``I feel pretty grateful for that. I didn't want to go to a weaker sort of club and with the players they've got here it was probably the biggest factor.''

The pacy Tupou, with one of the best offloads in the game, Dragons Kiwi international Jeremy Smith and Brisbane's new recruit, fellow Test star Israel Folau, are arguably the three biggest signings in the National Rugby League for the 2009 season.

Tupou's former Roosters mentor Stuart played the major role in attracting the backrower to Sutherland Shire. Stuart coached Tupou in 2004-2006, he was in charge throughout Tupou's 11 Test appearances and had earmarked him as a player he wanted.

``Ricky gave me my first shot and I'll be grateful for that forever,'' Tupou said.

``He also taught me so much and got me into the mould for first grade. It is a pretty good side.

``You watch all the boys train and it is looking all right.''

Much talk has centred on the strength of Cronulla's dynamic back row, surely among the strongest in the competition this season. Tupou joins Paul Gallen, Reece Williams, Reni Maitua, former Sea Eagle Jack Afamasaga and even Fraser Anderson, who at this stage has been earmarked for the centres but played much second row last year.

Tupou who has also played four Origin games travels each day to training with Maitua and has already formed a relationship with Gallen through their representative matches.

``I've roomed with [Gallen] a fair bit and I get along pretty good with him,'' Tupou said. ``If you are mates with people you are playing alongside you are just going to go that extra little bit for them.''

While adjusting to the blue, black and white of the Sharks has been one of the hardest things for Tupou, he has plenty of time to get used to his new home, having signed a four-year contract.

``[The new look] was weird to be honest,'' Tupou said. ``But I'm sort of used to it now. I want to play well for the Sharks, give them 100 per cent each game and hopefully play well enough to start thinking about the rep sides.''

He admits his round eight clash against his former Roosters club side at Toyota Stadium will be a ``big game'' personally. ``But I'll think about that when the time comes,'' Tupou said.