The Broncos brought me here to lead from the front and do my job” and that i will do” A good leader has promised victory for the Broncos….
Although Martin Taupau, a prop for Brisbane, is unsigned through 2025, he plans to play on until the end of the season. After playing for the Broncos since 2023, the 34-year-old wants to stay, but according to AAP, the team has not yet started talks on a contract extension. Taupau, who has only been in seven games for the Broncos this season, has been quite effective in the last month since making his comeback against the Warriors in round 17 after a nine-week layoff.
He will make his Suncorp Stadium debut on Saturday afternoon against his previous team, Canterbury. When asked if he intended to play again the next year, both in Brisbane and elsewhere, Taupau gave two “one hundred percent” responses.
“I’ve invested a lot of time and money into keeping my body in good nick,” he stated. “People claim that I’ve turned back time, yet time is still running. “The only thing I can control is playing great football and things will work out.”
Taupau played 20 games last year but was not included in the squad that played in the grand final. He proved a lot of people wrong when he left Manly at the end of 2022.
“Coming here to the Broncos was definitely a risky move,” Taupau said.
“But without risks there are no rewards and this has been one of the biggest rewards, playing my 250th game here at such an amazing club. The foundation and history of this club is enormous.
“It is a pretty huge milestone for myself and especially my family, given the last couple of months.
It’s been pretty tough in terms of not being able to play and a few things in the background.”
Taupau ran for 161m and made 23 tackles, without missing one, in 44 minutes of power against the Warriors.
“Prior to that it was pretty hard,” he said. “I had to turn up and train really hard and be patient and wait for the opportunity to come.
“With the Warriors being my first game back in a while, I felt like I didn’t miss a beat.
“The Broncos brought me here to lead from the front and do my job.”
Brisbane must win five of their last six matches to play finals. They welcomed back captain Adam Reynolds last week in a 30-14 win over Newcastle, and all of the side’s Origin players have returned for the Bulldogs clash.
“It’s great to have the band back together,” Taupau said.
“They’re a bit battered and bruised, but there were enormous efforts from our Origin players to back up.
“We all did our part and came away with a win.
“(Coach) Cameron Ciraldo has done really well with the Bulldogs. He’s created a really resilient squad. They never turn away.
“I believe we’ve got some great talent in our squad to tear sides apart and create opportunities. It’s going to be a great spectacle.”
