The Brisbane Broncos have no shortage of young talent coming through their ranks, but few have generated as much hype and excitement as Tupou Francis.
Although he has yet to feature in a single minute in the NRL, Francis has already convinced one of the game’s all-time premier front-rowers, Payne Haas, that he is destined to one day play State of Origin football.
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Not one to hand out praise lightly, Haas’s remarkable endorsement is just another sign of how highly rated the teenager is within rugby league circles.
“He’s a great young player who’s got a lot of potential and he’s going to be a mainstay in the Broncos’ system for a long time,” Haas told foxsports.com.au.
“I love watching him train and go about his business and he’s a good kid as well.
“He’ll play Origin in the near future. He’s a future player to watch and a future prospect and I’ve got big wraps on him and I know he’ll do a job in the next few years.”
The praise from Haas carries extra weight, given it comes from the man widely regarded as the benchmark for middle forwards in the NRL.
So who is Tupou Francis?
EARLY BEGINNINGS
A product of Marsden State High School, Francis first arrived at the Brisbane Broncos in 2025 on a four-year contract but has had rugby league pumping through his blood since birth.
Not only is he the younger brother of Gold Coast Titans winger Tony Francis, but he also comes from the renowned Hopoate footballing family, which has produced several State of Origin and international representatives over the years.
This has allowed the teenager, who is one of seven siblings, to be immersed in an elite rugby league environment from a young age, strengthening his understanding of the standards required to succeed at the top level.
“My mum is brothers with John Hopoate. I guess I’m pretty lucky and blessed to have them,” Francis said.
“I can sort of fall back on the likes of Will Hopoate, Lehi and all those boys who have played NRL. I’m pretty blessed in my situation.”
While his extended family – aunts, uncles and cousins – have helped provide guidance and support, it is older brother Tony who has had the biggest influence on his rugby league journey.
Although he is only five years older, Tony – who has played ten matches for the Titans since his debut in 2024 – has served as both an inspiration and sounding board for the Broncos forward which has helped increase his development.
“He definitely looked after me and he’s very big in my life,” Francis continued.
“I was texting him before this (Under-19s Origin match) and he just gives me tips and trick and knows how to deal with everything when there is a lot of pressure on you.”
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HIS RISE & REPLACING PAYNE HAAS
Recently turning 18, Francis has had a remarkable rise through the Broncos system since he first arrived.
Standing at an impressive 183cm and 101kg, the powerful lock already boasts the frame to handle the demands of first-grade and in the past 18 months his consistent form and rapid development has fast-tracked his progression at Red Hill.
This rise has included leading the Burleigh Bears to the Under-19s Mal Meninga Cup, being named in the Under-17s QLD City and Under-19s QLD Maroon squads and making his QLD Cup reserve-grade debut.
Drawing comparisons to Australian Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo in the process, Francis had been granted permission by the Broncos to speak with rival teams.
While the club slapped a $250,000 price tag on his release, it did little to deter rivals club who continued to monitor his progress closely.
It is understood that the Canberra Raiders and South Sydney Rabbitohs were just two of multiple clubs that weighed up a potential move for him.
However, he ultimately recommitted to the Broncos on a deal worth around $600,000 a season, which will see him promoted to the Top 30 roster from next season.
“For me to have Patty, Payne and Xavier there, they’re big role models for my life,” Francis said.
“Every day I try to go in and whether that’s building on the field or off the field, I just try to get to know them and take tips and tricks as much as I can.”
Continuing to develop his craft as a forward, Francis has been identified as a possible successor to Haas in the Broncos forward pack with the representative prop departing at the end of this year’s campaign to link up with the Rabbitohs.
While replacing one of the NRL’s premier forwards is no easy task, those within the four walls at the Broncos believe he possesses the potential, size and work ethic to be the perfect replacement for Haas.
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The young gun, however, is taking a measured approach to his development and is just focused on making his NRL debut.
“It’s everything as a kid (to make my NRL debut). This is why you play the game of footy to be in this arena,” Francis said.
“You put so much effort and hard work and you sacrifice so much. (Not only me but my) parents, family, everyone. It’s sort of to reward them and to reward yourself as well.”
While that is his short-term goal, his long-term ambition is to push for a regular spot in the first-grade line-up.
“It’s sort of to be anywhere in that 19. I’ll be grateful to be anywhere but I’ll take it step by step, week by week and see where we can go,” he continued.
“I’ll focus on pre-season when we get there and we’ll see where it takes us.”
THE REPRESENTATIVE DILEMMA
While his NRL career is only just at the beginning, one of the more intriguing storylines surrounding Francis’ rise is his State of Origin eligibility.
Unlike many of his peers, the youngster has the rare luxury of potentially choosing between New South Wales and Queensland, having been born in Sydney before moving to Brisbane at the age of 12.
Under the current Origin eligibility rules, Francis qualifies for both states but he has already made it clear where his heart lies.
“It means the world to me (to represent Queensland Maroons),” Francis said.
“Obviously, moved up here when I was 12, so I had the choice to pick, and since I’ve been here, I’ve loved it.”
While the decision to represent the Maroons was an easy one for Francis, it has become a regular source of banter among his Broncos teammates, particularly NSW Blues star Payne Haas.
“I actually give him stick about it, to be honest,” Haas added.
“He lived 12 years in New South Wales and he plays for Queensland. I don’t get it, but all his family wore blue at the game.”
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Although he has decided on which state he wants to represent, the Under-19s Maroons forward is yet to settle on his international allegiance.
The youngster revealed he is eligible to represent five nations at Test level – Australia, Fiji, France, Lebanon and Tonga – meaning another significant decision awaits as his career progresses.
For now, however, Francis is in no rush to make that call, but foxsports.com.au understands that he will represent Lebanon at the upcoming 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
“He [Lebanon head coach Michael Cheika] called me over the phone and he did say he’s looking out for me to play for Lebanon,” he continued.
“I don’t know if it’s confirmed yet, but I’ll put my hand up if that does happen for both (Lebanon and Tonga).
“I grew up sort of on both sides, so it’s pretty even, so I don’t mind who I represent, but whoever calls first.
“If I can represent my dad’s side, I will, but also my Tongan side as well.”
Set to represent Lebanon at the RLWC, Francis had the opportunity to train with Tonga at the end of last year during the 2025 Pacific Championships.
Receiving the opportunity through his uncle, he was one of a handful of emerging players invited into camp alongside Antonio Verhoeven, David Bryenton and Lenton Steven Funaki.
“It was definitely a massive experience and I enjoyed every bit of it,” Francis said.
“I was lucky enough my uncle John (Hopoate) called me saying ‘Do you want to come into camp and train with the boys? I’m not going to say no to that.
“It was something I’ll always remember.”
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