NRL 2023: Marty Taupau arrives at Brisbane as TC Robati remains stood down
The Broncos are preparing to be without a rising star for a significant period and have called in a Test veteran to cover the gap.
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The Broncos are bracing for stood down forward TC Robati to potentially be sidelined long-term as Test star Marty Taupau arrives at Red Hill to bolster Brisbane’s NRL premiership bid.
Taupau is expected to meet his new Broncos teammates on Monday after inking a one-season deal with Brisbane to extend his NRL career.
A 33-Test veteran with New Zealand and Samoa, Taupau was without a contract and facing the NRL scrap heap before Broncos coach Kevin Walters offered him a career lifeline last week.
The Broncos signed Taupau to add 222 games of NRL experience to a mostly young forward pack and also provide cover for Robati.
Robati, 21, has been stood down indefinitely after an alleged off-field incident.
This has the potential to leave the Broncos without one of their rising forwards for a significant portion of the NRL season given Robati is unlikely to be allowed to return until the case is finalised.
Robati burst on to the NRL scene in 2012 with 10 games, but was restricted to only seven appearances last season. He now faces an uncertain 2023, with his predicament leaving the Broncos a player down for the foreseeable future.
The recruitment of Taupau will alleviate some of that roster pressure.
Taupau turns 33 next month and will be Brisbane’s only middle forward with more than 100 games of NRL experience, having played for the Bulldogs, Tigers and Sea Eagles since 2010.
He will be mentoring the likes of emerging representative stars Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan and Tom Flegler up front and Brisbane’s young brigade.
Backrower Jordan Riki said he idolised Taupau and couldn’t wait to play alongside him.
“It was cool seeing him walking through the club,” Riki said after Taupau toured Brisbane’s facilities before signing.
“As a young kid coming from New Zealand, and him also being a Kiwis representative, it was awesome to see one of my idols growing up.
“He is a large human and very hard to tackle, like I know. I’m glad he’s on our team now.”
Having played a career-best 22 games last year, Riki is looking to build on his 2022 campaign after locking down the right back-row spot.
He will feature for the Maori All Stars next month and said he wanted to play tougher this year as he faces a challenge from returning backrower Brendan Piakura, who missed most of last season with injury and concussion problems, for his spot.
“Rugby league’s a tough sport, it’s very physical, not only on your body but mentally as well,” Riki said.
“It’s very taxing, but you’ve got to push yourself to the limit and know you can handle it.
“Obviously there’s going to be times where you’re seriously injured and have to step away from the game.
“There were definitely some times last year where I can admit I wasn’t feeling 100 per cent, but you’ve got to go into those dark places to rise above it.”
The Broncos will play their first trial match at Wynnum next Saturday when a team of youngsters and fringe players runs out against the Seagulls at Kougari Oval.
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