Marty Taupau leads charge for Tigers

WEST Tigers back-rower Marty Taupau has produced an electrifying man of the match performance to carry his team to a massive victory over the Rabbitohs.

NRL Rd 14 - Tigers v Rabbitohs

RAMPAGING West Tigers back-rower Marty Taupau has led the boys from Leichhardt to a convincing 34-6 win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium.

The Tigers came out of the blocks strongly, with James Tedesco crossing after just six minutes to put his team 6-0 ahead. Then came the Taupau show.

Unleashing one of the best fends of the NRL season to date, Taupau easily brushed off young fullback Alex Johnstone to cross for the Tigers second in just 10 minutes.

Followed by a number of brutalising runs, Taupau seemed unstoppable in the first half.

The Rabbitohs hit back with try through Bryson Goodwin amid some very weak defence, however with a 12-6 lead at the half, the Tigers had all the momentum heading into the break.

Wests dominated the second half, scoring 22 unanswered points after returning from the sheds to seal the win.

Taupau featured heavily in the second 40, breaking from dummy half to bump off the first defender on several occasions.

Leading the forwards from the front, Taupau laughed off a scuffle after a Tigers knock-on, only to fend off four defenders minutes later and bust over in the corner to score his second for the match.

Tigers Martin Taupau fends off South Sydney's Alex Johnston to score a try.

Producing a VB Man of the Match performance Taupau says he has taken on a more senior role within the team since stars such as Robbie Farah have been on Origin duty.

“With a couple of guys out with Origin, it’s up to me and some of the other boys to step up,” Taupau said.

When Channel Nine commentator Brett Finch credited Taupau with some of the most dominant tries scored all season, the 110kg Kiwi-born Samoan gave a humble reply.

“I’m just enjoying my footy at the moment mate.”

Not only is Taupau freakishly powerful on the field, he is freakishly strong in the gym as well.

Originally published as Marty Taupau leads charge for Tigers