It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for Martin Taupau who officially began his time with the Brisbane Broncos yesterday.
After returning to Australia following Samoa’s ground-breaking performance at last year’s Rugby League World Cup, Taupau was unsigned by an NRL club despite plenty of interest in his services – but only recently put pen to paper with the Broncos where he has been signed on a one-year deal.
The 32-year-old, who has played 222 NRL games from his time with Canterbury Bulldogs, Wests Tigers and more recently seven seasons with the Sea Eagles, brings experience and aggression to the young Broncos pack.
“We weighed up every pro and con, but we believe the Broncos was a great fit and obviously coming here, it’s just an amazing feeling, (I have been) welcomed with open arms,” Taupau told assembled media about his move to Queensland following the club’s Tuesday morning training session at Red Hill.
“Everything is professional far beyond and great measure here, so it's been amazing from the players and the staff, top to bottom, it's been an absolutely amazing experience. And for me personally, I just have to strap on the boots and get to work. Round 1 is obviously just around the corner.”
Saying he was “technically unemployed” for a few months before making the move to the Broncos, Taupau said he leant on his friends and family during that period of uncertainty, with his wife Michelle taking on a new 'job' to make sure he’d be fit and firing upon joining up with a new NRL club.
“I had to strap on the boots, give the whistle my wife and she was my S&C, so she definitely cracked the whip the last couple of months, and I believe it's helped immensely, as well as the honest conversations of the pros and cons of life, both off and on the field,” Taupau said.
“And I guess, everything all happens for a reason, and this is the path that I'm on at the moment and I just have to capitalise on every opportunity.”
In announcing his signing, Brisbane coach Kevin Walters said he was counting on Taupau to help the club’s forwards in particular “grow and be better players”, a task the veteran of 33 Tests for New Zealand and Samoa said he was looking forward to taking on.
“The great thing with our playing group is that they're just eager to learn and they're very open; they ask the honest questions and obviously with my experience in the game, I'm happy to share that,” Taupau said.
“With the leadership; there's some growing leaders in this great squad, and definitely some ones who have really instilled their place here.
“It's a great ecosystem here, I'm just very proud and honoured to be a part of this playing group.
“I don't want to single out anyone, but Payne Haas, young Thomas Flegler, (Adam) Reynolds, Patty Carrigan, honestly, these are born leaders.
“I played a couple of these players last year as well as on the international stage and it's just phenomenal to put on the jersey and being able to have the opportunity to play with them.”
