- Christian Tuipulotu is equal top try-scorer in the NRL
- Dragons star scored round one hat-trick versus Bulldogs
- Coach Shane Flanagan has urged him to focus on overall game
Dragons star Christian Tuipulotu has become a cult hero in the NRL due to his wild post try-scoring celebrating – but don’t expect to see any more of them this season.
His coach Shane Flanagan has banned the in-form winger from further ‘money gesturing’ antics after crossing the stripe, as the Red V remain winless in 2025.
‘He won’t be doing them again, trust me,’ Flanagan said. ‘He will be told [to stop], don’t you worry.
‘I don’t know where it’s coming from but it won’t be happening anymore. We will address it.’
Flanagan also confirmed he will urge the Tongan international – who is unsigned for 2026 – to focus on his on-field performances.
‘It is not required and the energy needs to be put back into other parts of his footy,’ he said.
Dragons star Christian Tuipulotu has become a cult hero in the NRL due to his post try-scoring celebrating (pictured) – but don’t expect to see any more this season
Coach Shane Flanagan has banned the winger from further ‘money gesturing’ antics after crossing the stripe
Flanagan will also urge the Tongan international – who is unsigned for 2026 – to focus on his on-field performances
‘We love his enthusiasm but it has to be directed into the right place – that’s to the team, not the fans.’
Tuipulotu – who scored a hat-trick in round one against the Bulldogs – stunned Fox League commentator Michael Ennis with his skylarking given they were getting beaten badly in the second half when he performed the ‘show me the money’ celebration.
‘It is an interesting celebration when you are down by 18 [points],’ Ennis said at the time.
Meanwhile, the Dragons now have more salary cap space after prop Francis Molo agreed to pay back part of his salary in order to leave the club.
Molo has been released from the final year and a half of his contract, ending a two-month-long dispute.
He had taken a leave of absence from Dragons training since early this year after taking exception to a comment from a coach.
It is understood part of Molo’s exit includes a hefty termination fee, with the Queensland Origin representative reportedly to join the Dolphins immediately.
Molo was on a deal in the vicinity of $550,000 per year for both 2025 and 2026.
