Latest news with #MartinTaupau
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
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
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.
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footy star makes grovelling apology after slamming his coach on social media in move that could cost him his future at the club
Broncos forward Martin Taupau has publicly apologised to Michael Maguire and the club's leadership group after endorsing a social media post criticising the coach's intense training style. But it might have come too late, as the veteran prop is now facing the prospect of having played his final game in Broncos colours. Taupau drew backlash from teammates and staff after liking a post by former Wests Tigers player Elijah Taylor, who labelled Maguire's training methods physically draining and emotionally excessive. The post, made on Instagram, claimed Maguire's approach left players exhausted before games and disrupted home life. Taylor, who played under Maguire at the Tigers, opened up on the hardline training regimes that the coach brought to their preparation for games. 'Two, training methods. 95 per cent of the time on the field it's full contact ... and the hardest pre-season I ever did was with Michael Maguire,' he said. 'Three, time efficiency. Let's have a meeting for a meeting for a meeting. 'I'd get home from training and the kids don't know who I am anymore. [I was] hardly home.' The criticism came amid pressure on Maguire following Brisbane's poor form, with four losses in their past five matches. Taylor said Maguire's sessions were mostly full contact and described his pre-season as the 'hardest ever' in his career. He added that game-day fatigue was common and called for the coach to rethink his methods to turn the Broncos' season around. Taupau's endorsement of the post reportedly went down poorly with senior players. He responded by posting a public apology on Thursday night. 'Today I liked a video by Elijah Taylor talking about Michael Maguire's coaching methods,' Taupau wrote. 'I regret this as it was not my intention to endorse the video. I removed the like immediately after.' He went on to praise Maguire, saying, '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 apology, Taupau has been summoned to front the club's senior leadership group, including Adam Reynolds, Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas, Ben Hunt and Kotoni Staggs. The group will decide if further action is required ahead of Sunday's clash with the Dragons. While sacking him is seen as unlikely, Taupau is off-contract at the end of 2025 and will not be offered a new deal. That decision appears to have been made before this incident, with sources suggesting the club is pursuing full cultural buy-in under Maguire's leadership. The 35-year-old joined the Broncos from Manly in 2023 and has played 33 games for the club. This year, he has featured just once, coming off the bench in a round 6 loss to the Roosters. He reportedly struggled with the pre-season intensity, nearly collapsing during running drills in 30-degree heat on the first day under Maguire. Brisbane insiders say the mood has shifted, with concerns about being 'over-trained' contributing to inconsistent performances. Maguire, who won a premiership with South Sydney in 2014, has long been known for his rigorous style. His time at Souths and later at the Wests Tigers ended amid reports of player burnout and internal tension. Players like Chris Grevsmuhl and Elijah Taylor have previously spoken out about Maguire's extreme standards. Still, Maguire has his supporters within the Broncos squad. Payne Haas, who played under Maguire in State of Origin, rubbished suggestions the coach had lost the dressing room. 'I think it's bollocks,' Haas said bluntly when asked about a possible revolt. 'We have got his back. Everyone has got belief in this group and what he does with us.' 'We support him 100 per cent.' Maguire recently took players on a Sydney Harbour cruise as a bonding session, a move that also drew criticism.
News.com.au
16-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Brisbane Broncos forward Martin Taupau set to be axed after Michael Maguire criticism
Broncos veteran Martin Taupau is reportedly set to front the club's leadership group after liking a social media post criticising Michael Maguire's style of coaching. According to Code Sports, Taupau's time in Red Hill is all but over and he will sit down with Adam Reynolds, Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas, Ben Hunt and Kotoni Staggs to explain his actions. Former Tigers forward Elijah Taylor was asked by fans why Brisbane could be struggling for form, delivering a criticism of Maguire's coaching on Instagram. The post included three reasons why the Broncos weren't delivering despite having a host of multimillion dollar stars, whilst also touching on Maguire's 'intensity'. Taupau liked Taylor's post in a telling sign he agrees with the former NRL star's opinion, which reportedly led the Broncos internally discuss sacking the prop with immediate effect. There is also reportedly the possibility Taupau will be sanctioned by the leadership group, and he's unlikely to be offered a contract beyond the 2025 season, meaning he could have played his last game for the club if he is not picked again. 'A lot of people are asking me what's wrong with 'Madge' (Maguire), what's wrong with the Broncos,' Taylor said on the Footy Hacks Instagram account. 'One, his intensity. I've never seen a coach ride the game so hard. 'After a win, the world is a better place. After a loss, you're off to a funeral and someone will be getting cooked at the video session. 'Two, training methods. Ninety-five per cent of the time on the field it's full contact. The hardest pre-season I have ever done is with Michael Maguire. 'You haven't done an NRL pre-season until you have done a Michael Maguire pre-season. 'Three, time efficiency. Let's have a meeting for a meeting for a meeting. I'd get home from training and the kids don't know who I am anymore. Hardly home.' According to Code Sports, Taupau felt the full effects of Maguire's brutal pre-season, collapsing during running on the first day in November. Taylor also highlighted that he often felt 'sore' while running out to play an 80 minute game, saying: 'If Madge can clean that up, I'm sure he can turn the Broncos season around.' However, according to rugby league reporter Ben Dobbin, the damage has already been done by Taupau, with the club 'absolutely filthy' and going into 'meltdown'. 'They are extremely disappointed, they hate to be put into this situation and they're trying to change the culture,' Dobbin said on Triple M's Thursday Scrum. 'They will be meeting with the player in the coming days and there will be ramifications. They are absolutely furious about the fact he's liked this. The senior playing group are unhappy.' Brisbane superstar Payne Haas, meanwhile, put to bed suggestions Maguire had lost the playing group when fronting media on Thursday. 'That's a bit of bollocks,' Haas said. 'We've got his back. Everyone's got high belief in this group and what he does. We support him 100 per cent.'
