NRL 2023: Brisbane recruit Marty Taupau reveals why he chose Broncos over Eels

Martin Taupau made his presence felt in his first Broncos training session, clashing with Payne Haas during the high-octane hit-out. SEE THE PICTURES.

Kevin Walters during a Broncos training session. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Broncos hit-man Marty Taupau has addressed speculation he backflipped on a move to Parramatta and revealed why he jumped at an NRL career lifeline in Brisbane.

Taupau took part in his first Broncos training session at Red Hill on Tuesday morning as coach Kevin Walters ramped up Brisbane’s pre-season intensity ahead of Saturday’s first trial match.

Nickname “Kapow” for his brute strength and big-hitting ability, Taupau collided heavily with fellow Broncos big man Payne Haas during what was a high-octane session in searing summer heat.

After spending the past three months in the NRL wilderness, Taupau was on the verge of joining 2022 grand finalists Parramatta.

But an eleventh-hour bid from the Broncos saw the Test veteran abort the Eels move and commit to Brisbane for the 2023 NRL premiership season.

Taupau, who turns 33 this week, said he did what was best for his family and career after being shown the door by Manly following seven seasons with the Sea Eagles.

“It’s whatever you read in the papers I guess. You can take it as it is,” he said when asked if he backflipped on Parramatta.

Marty Taupau helps Payne Haas up after a clash. Picture: Liam Kidston

Coach Kevin Walters watches over the brutal session. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Everything was all there, we just had to weigh it all up. We weren’t reactive with what was being played at the time.

“We had to take a step back, take a couple of deep breaths and weigh everything all up.

“We’re in a very fortunate position now. We will take every opportunity here, make the most of it and get some success for this great club.

“There’s always going to be fear and doubt when you’re unemployed with the unknown and uncertainty.

“We had a plan. Some plans might not go to plan, but you’ve got to respond accordingly.

“I was technically unemployed for three months, so what do you do? You find a job, you work hard at your trade. We’re here now.”

Taupau arrives at Red Hill to boost the Broncos’ front row depth with 222 games of NRL experience since debuting in 2010 to go with 33 Tests for New Zealand (24) and Samoa (nine).

He played 21 matches for Manly last season but was not offered a contract extension as coach Des Hasler was sacked and replaced by Anthony Seibold following a turbulent year.

Taupau had the opportunity to remain in Sydney and join the high-flying Eels, who lost last year’s grand final to Penrith.

Welcome to Brisbane @MartyKapow!! pic.twitter.com/bIzT3MYWEA

— Brisbane Broncos (@brisbanebroncos) January 30, 2023

But he opted to head north after touring Brisbane’s Red Hill headquarters and agreeing to a nine-month cameo on the spot.

“It was a really crazy 24-48 hours,” Taupau said.

“The position I was in with the Broncos coming to the table, we had to weigh up everything. We had to have a really long conversation with our family about what’s best for our family as well as my career.

“We weighed up every pro and con. We believe the Broncos were a great fit.

“Coming here is an amazing feeling. I’ve been welcomed with open arms. Everything is professional.

“It’s been amazing. From the players to staff, top to bottom, it’s been an amazing experience.

“I have to strap on the boots and get to work with round one just around the corner.”

Given he did not have an NRL club after returning from Samoa’s World Cup campaign, Taupau was training alone under the watchful eye of wife Michelle.

He needs time to get up to speed with his teammates and is unlikely to play for the Broncos before their last trial against the Cowboys on February 18.

But he can’t wait to lace the boots up for a club with a rich history.

Adam Reynolds talks shop with Marty Taupau. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I definitely understand it and you can honestly feel it,” Taupau said of the Broncos.

“I was driving to work this morning and saying to my wife it’s a different feeling. You look down and see the Broncos emblem and there’s so much history behind it.

“There’s a drive and passion where I want to put my best foot forward and do my very best for this great club.

“I’m thankful I’ve got my wife there, my sounding board, friends and family. I’ve got to do anything it takes to look after my family.

“I had to strap on the boots, give the whistle to my wife and she was my S and C (strength and conditioning coach). She definitely cracked the whip the last couple of months. I believe it’s helped massively.

“Everything happens for a reason and this is the path I’m on at the moment.”

A Broncos team featuring mostly fringe first graders will play Wynnum-Manly in a trial at Kougari Oval on Saturday.

KEY MOMENTS PROVE BRONCOS NEED WALTERS

– Robert Craddock

If Kevin Walters is without hope as a first grade coach someone forgot to tell Marty Taupau.

The 32-year-old enforcer had been courted by Parramatta for many months and was reportedly hours away from putting pen to paper before the Broncos swooped with a random phone call two weeks ago.

The Eels were understood to be aghast and angry when Taupau jumped on a plane the next day and joined Brisbane after touring their Red Hill base.

Despite his phone buzzing with calls from Parramatta throughout the day, Taupau agreed to terms after one of the quickest contract negotiations the Broncos have ever had.

It was a timely and significant win for Walters on the back of Selwyn Cobbo’s controversial podcast claims he is not a good coach.

Those words would have hurt Walters deeply because his reputation as a wisecracking larrikin hides a sensitive nature kept well away from public view.

The Broncos may have lost youngster Karl Oloapu to the Bulldogs but had another victory when the much sought-after Herbie Farnworth last week reportedly agreed to stay in Brisbane beyond this year.

Selwyn Cobbo and Kevin Walters at Broncos pre-season training. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Two out of three ain’t bad. In rugby league contract wars you never win them all.

These are important moments for Walters because having players sign to put their lives in his lap means far more than a rambling rogue voice on a podcast.

That said, they say you should never waste a good crisis and Brisbane should have hit Cobbo with a simple request – tell us the reasons you don’t rate Walters and let’s address them and make the club better.

A coach is judged on many things – selections, tactics etc – but it all starts and ends with one key vibe … players must want to come or stay at your club rather than run away from it.

Parramatta played in last year’s grand final. It would have been so easy for Taupau to stay in Sydney where he played 13 years of first grade rather move north.

Brisbane are about to extend Walters' contract and it seems a sensible move because he is far harder to replace than most fans realise.

The prospect of starting again is a truly numbing thought for the club.

Craig Bellamy has had more approaches from the Broncos than Margot Robbie has got love letters from fans but that ship has sailed.

Who else would you hire?

Broncos signing Martin Taupau. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

There’s no doubt, according to those close to him, that Walters' assistant Matt Ballin is a first grade coach in the making but his time will come.

The NRL is desperately short on coaching options and none suited to the special pressures that come with coaching Brisbane.

As hurt as he would have been about the Cobbo affair, Walters handled it well by reportedly making an off-the-cuff joke about it in the dressing room and just moving on. That is the way Broncos coaches have to coach.

If they fretted over every controversial headline they would be nervous wrecks.

Oddly enough, Cobbo’s claims may have galvanised rather than fractured support for Walters in the dressing room.

Even players who have their issues with Walters were asking “why in god’s name would he say that?’’

Originally published as NRL 2023: Brisbane recruit Marty Taupau reveals why he chose Broncos over Eels