BREAKING NEWS The SHOCK Brisbane Broncos act after Martin Taupau was dragged before leadership group for liking a social media post that slammed coach Michael Maguire

Daily Mail​

17-05-2025

The Brisbane Broncos are reported set to sack veteran forward Martin Taupau after he was hauled before the club's leadership group for endorsing a scathing social media post targeting head coach Michael Maguire.
Reports from News Corp indicate he is set to depart the club immediately, with both parties agreeing to a split as early as next week.
Taupau found himself in hot water after liking an Instagram video from ex-Wests Tigers teammate Elijah Taylor, who accused Maguire of imposing training regimes so harsh they left players physically exhausted and emotionally depleted.
The post sparked outrage inside Red Hill, with senior players and coaching staff viewing Taupau's action as a direct challenge to the club's cultural direction.
Elijah Taylor, who played under Maguire at the Tigers, described his pre-seasons as 'the hardest ever' and claimed long training hours damaged players' family lives and game-day readiness.
He said sessions were often full-contact and lacked time efficiency, adding, 'I'd get home from training and the kids don't know who I am anymore.'
The timing couldn't have been worse, with the Broncos stumbling to five wins and five losses under Maguire's new regime and criticism mounting about player fatigue and inconsistent performances.
Taupau, 35, responded by posting a grovelling public apology on Thursday night.
'Today I liked a video by Elijah Taylor talking about Michael Maguire's coaching methods,' he wrote.
'I regret this as it was not my intention to endorse the video. I removed the like immediately after.'
He added, 'I am thoroughly enjoying being coached by Michael Maguire and will continue to do whatever I can to help the Broncos win a premiership in 2025.'
Despite the statement, Taupau was summoned to face the club's leadership group, including Adam Reynolds, Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas, Ben Hunt and Kotoni Staggs.
The group reportedly expressed disappointment and concern over the impact of the post on the team's unity.
Club captain Adam Reynolds addressed the situation on Triple M's Rush Hour.
'It's not a good look, but we are united as a group. We are moving in a good direction,' Reynolds said.
'I've had experiences with him (Maguire) in the past and he is a carer. He's passionate, he wants to win and we're all moving forward together.'
Carrigan, a key figure in the leadership group, confirmed he had spoken to Taupau personally.
'He released a statement, he has made a mistake,' Carrigan told The Courier-Mail.
'As a teammate I will support him, but we all know where we want to go as a club.'
Taupau has played just one game this season, coming off the bench in a loss to the Roosters.
Insiders say he struggled with the demands of Maguire's brutal pre-season, nearly collapsing during running drills in 30-degree heat.
It marks a steep fall for the 256-game veteran, who joined Brisbane in 2023 after stints at the Tigers, Sea Eagles, and Bulldogs.
He is now believed to be eyeing a move back to Sydney, where he hopes to secure a final NRL contract.
Maguire's coaching methods have long divided opinion, earning him a premiership with South Sydney in 2014 but also costing him jobs amid reports of player burnout.
Former players like Chris Grevsmuhl and Elijah Taylor have previously gone public with stories of physical and emotional exhaustion under Maguire's systems.
However, support for the coach remains strong within the current Broncos squad.
Payne Haas, who worked under Maguire in Origin, dismissed talk of unrest.
'I think it's bollocks,' Haas said.
'We've got his back. Everyone believes in what he's doing with us. We support him 100 per cent.'
Maguire recently organised a team bonding session on Sydney Harbour, a move criticised by some but defended by league legend Laurie Daley.
'There was no alcohol. It was about connection,' Daley said.