Martin Taupau to front Broncos leadership group over Madge critique endorsement, likely played last game for club

Martin Taupau has all-but played his last game for the Broncos, with the prop called to front Brisbane’s senior leadership group in the explosive fallout to the Michael Maguire social-media storm.

Broncos prop Martin Taupau will be called to front Brisbane’s senior leadership group in an explosive fallout to the Michael Maguire social-media storm.

This masthead can reveal Taupau’s Broncos career is all-but over after the former Kiwi Test prop endorsed a social-media post that slammed his coach Maguire’s training methods.

Former Kiwi Test forward Elijah Taylor took to Instagram to deliver a critique of Maguire’s coaching style after being asked by fans for his thoughts on Brisbane’s patchy 5-5 form.

The post was liked by Taupau, a move that has gone down like a lead balloon with Broncos players – prompting the leadership group to seek a face-to-face meeting with the bookend.

Taupau will report to Brisbane’s senior leaders – skipper Adam Reynolds, Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas, Ben Hunt and Kotoni Staggs – for a please explain ahead of Sunday’s clash against the Dragons.

The Broncos have privately canvassed the prospect of sacking Taupau but that appears an unlikely outcome.

Martin Taupau will front the leadership group.

Taupau's Instagram post from Thursday night.

However, the 35-year-old is off-contract at season’s end and won’t be offered a new deal by a Broncos club that is seeking total cultural buy-in as Brisbane chase their first title since 2006.

There is a possibility Taupau may be sanctioned pending the outcome of his meeting with Brisbane’s leadership group.

The former Samoa and New Zealand international has been a handy servant for the Broncos since joining the club from Manly in 2023, playing 33 games in his first two seasons at Red Hill under Kevin Walters.

Taupau likes Taylor’s video

But Taupau has endured a turbulent start to Maguire’s regime.

Maguire put the Broncos through a punishing pre-season and Taupau felt the full force of it, almost collapsing at training running in 30 degree heat on day one in November.

The 256-game veteran has played just one game off the bench so far this season against the Roosters in round 6.

Barring a major injury crisis in the coming weeks, Taupau has almost certainly played his final game for the Broncos in the wake of the Maguire social-media attack.

Martin Taupau has almost certainly played his final game for the Broncos. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Maguire is adamant Brisbane need to work harder to snap their 19-year title drought and wants Broncos players to back the blueprint that saw him win a premiership at Souths in 2014.

Haas had success with Maguire at NSW Origin level last season and says the Broncos coach has his full support, rubbishing suggestions of a dressing-room revolt.

“I think it’s bollocks,” Haas fired when asked if Maguire has lost the group.

“We have got his back.

“Everyone has got belief in this group and what he does with us.

“We support him 100 per cent.

“He is confident in our group and he has high belief in our group, so he has been good.

“We enjoy being here and enjoy training hard, we just haven’t got the results.

“If we win it (speculation over Maguire) all goes away.”

Taylor played under Maguire at the Tigers.

Taylor, who was coached by Maguire at the Wests Tigers, claimed he often went into NRL games feeling physically fatigued from training and dreading an 80-minute game.

He believes Maguire has the roster to get success at the Broncos, but urged him to adjust his training methods.

“Nothing worse than running out for game-day warm up and you are sore,” he said.

“I’m about to play an 80-minute game and my body feels like this.

“If Madge can clean that up, I’m sure he can turn the Broncos season around.”

“I warned you. Good luck.”

Originally published as Martin Taupau to front Broncos leadership group over Madge critique endorsement, likely played last game for club