NRL veteran Martin Taupau and Brisbane Broncos part ways after Instagram drama

7NEWS

17-05-2025

Brisbane and prop Martin Taupau will part ways with the veteran having played his last game for the NRL club.
The 35-year-old and the Broncos are in the midst of finalising their separation in amicable fashion from what was a one-year contract for 2025.
The Samoan and New Zealand international is understood to be keen to continue his NRL career in Sydney.
The Broncos have depth in the middle forwards with Fletcher Baker and Ben Te Kura both in the top squad, and AAP understands Taupau was not part of coach Michael Maguire's plans going forward.
The development comes after Taupau liked a video post on Instagram by former Kiwi international and Wests Tigers player Elijah Taylor, who was critical of Maguire's coaching methods.
Taupau then retracted his 'like' and apologised for his actions in a statement.
He said he had no issues with Maguire who had given him a contract extension in November last year after taking up the Broncos position.
Maguire, who preferred not to comment about his response to the prop's actions, said Taupau's release was imminent and hoped the veteran continued his career.
'The club is still working through that,' he said.'I want everyone that is at the club or moves from the club at some stage to prosper on the back of what they do. Where they take that, that will be sorted out as we move forward. It's probably more up to the front office, but I guess things will progress quickly.'
As for training the team too hard, Maguire said that was not the case.
'They jump into training and are pushing boundaries that maybe they haven't been at before, which is good,' he said.
'That's what great teams do. They are pushing hard to find new levels in what they are doing. They are buying in.'
Taupau released a statement on Friday, explaining his actions.
'Today I liked a video by Elijah Taylor talking about Michael Maguire's coaching methods,' Taupau said.
'I regret this as it was not my intention to endorse the video. I removed the like immediately after.
'I want to make it clear. I am thoroughly enjoying being coached by coach Michael Maguire and will continue to do whatever I can to help the Broncos win a premiership in 2025.'
Maguire has come under fire in some quarters for training the side too hard and for being too intense during the week.
Those claims were rejected by props Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan this week.
'I think it's bollocks,' Haas said.
'Everyone has got belief in this group and what (Maguire) does with us. We support him 100 per cent.
'We enjoy being here and enjoy training hard, we just haven't got the results.'
Carrigan backed up Haas.
'We know we have to train hard and we know we have to do the things to get where we want to be and that's be a premiership team,' he said.
'Marty has addressed it. As a teammate I will support him, but also where we want to go as a club.'
Taupau played one game off the bench this year for Brisbane and lined up in 34 matches for the club in his 256-game career.