Martin Taupau has hit out after becoming the latest target for racism
Martin Taupau hits out as police launch an investigation into racist comments directed at the Manly front rower
Martin Taupau’s initial reaction was shock. Then, as the disgraceful comments began to sink in, it gave way to anger and frustration.
Just over a week ago, Taupau became the latest NRL star to be targeted for racist abuse on social media. On Monday, he provided a statement to NSW Police and his hope is that by speaking up, he can help the likes of Latrell Mitchell fight what is a scourge not just in rugby league, but across Australian sport.
“It was really weird – I just came across this private message,” Taupau said.
“At first, I laughed at it because I have received some pretty harsh criticism over the years. My resilience has built up to the point where I can understand where educated rugby league fans come from – and then you have idiots like this.
“Initially it didn’t really bother me at all. But then I kept reading it over and over and over again. Then I mentioned it to my missus (Michelle) and she was appalled.
“After a couple of minutes it sunk in and I thought you bastard. It was more the racism. One of the lines was I hope someone will break every effing bone inside your ape arse.
“I was like you prick. That sort of racism is never accepted in modern day society, whether you are an athlete, have a high-profile or you a regular citizen, it should never be accepted.
“It went on with more abuse. We forwarded it to the team manager John Bonasera, which he followed up. Me and my wife also forwarded it to Karyn Murphy at the integrity unit.
“Now it is in the hands of the investigators, which today I had to put in a statement and had a really good chat with them.”
Taupau’s Manly teammate Sean Keppie was also targeted on social media after the side’s loss to Newcastle and the comments directed at him have also become part of a police investigation.
“We all understand you can never stop trolls like this,” Taupau said.
“It is just despicable behaviour … it is a huge concern for our younger generation and how they become vulnerable to this stuff.
“I have seen it over the years when young fellas are under pressure … and then you have this garbage being thrown at you. It is not acceptable.
“This is the sort of thing I know how to handle with the support of my wife. I am not one to repost it online. They then get the joy out of it. I wouldn’t do that.
“I let our team manager know and the integrity unit. The more airtime you give these people gives them more power to do it more and more, and get these reactions.”
If he had his way, Taupau would like to exact his own form of retribution on the person responsible.
“It would be nice to invite them to a training session and I would run them through some tackling drills,” Taupau said.
“It would be the most legal way to inflict a little bit of the pain I felt from their message. I know how to go about this sort of stuff, I manage my emotions really well.
“If it ever got you the point where it becomes public and I have to take the stand and make a statement, I am more than happy to do that. I am happy to call them out and make it public who these people are.
“It is really sad. You have to call this bullshit out.”
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