Martin Taupau - Discussion Thread

[stevetiger]

He's contracted so we should keep him. Apart from Ava he is the only forward we have who can break the line ( i.e. not a plodder). Who are we going to buy who can break the line like Marty even if he doesn't play big minutes? Some people on here seem to cave in quickly. Do we show some fight for once and keep this guy or do we continue to just let everyone go and run around with a bottom three side forever?
There are too many reserve graders in our side already. Marty is one of the half dozen or so genuine first graders we have. If he is under contract Do NOT release him

I don't get the comments regarding moving him on. He is our most damaging forward by far. Yes he doesn't go all game but we need some players who can have an impact.

 

[alexaki]

Didn't we win all/most of the games he was on the sideline for this year?….

I love Marty but please...he is not worth $550k...he needs more than one good stiff arm every 4 games to get paid moire than that!...hey if he doesn't like it here...GO!

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Officially, Martin Taupau has one year to run on his current Wests Tigers contract but The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the backrower recently knocked back a $1.1 million two-year extension.

Expected to be a member of the Kiwi Test touring squad to England after the NRL grand final, Taupau could command upwards of $650,000-a-season on the open market.

The Wests Tigers have denied the Kiwi international asked for a release earlier this month but the indication is Taupau will make a call on his future early next year.

There is no suggestion of any issues with the Tigers coaching staff or a personality clash like the Robbie Farah situation, but by knocking back the Wests extension the early warning signs have sounded.

Read more at http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/taupau-knocks-back-1-1m-contract-extension-19147/#y5iCoIMvUrjuLz4e.99

 

[everett]

Hope he plays with us in 2016 but like many have said he needs to play longer minutes.

Given our past history I would not pay overs to for him.

Doesn't he want to chance himself in the NFL.

 

[Pawsandclaws]

There are some very talented young second row forwards and locks at the club. Another year of experience would put them in a position to challenge for an NRL position. Tough call but getting into a bidding war with the Titans, Warriors and Souths does not appear to be sound business.

 

[Curaeus]

No way Marty is worth $650k a year based on his efforts this year. He simply isn't consistently good enough to demand that size pay cheque. Our (rejected) offer of $1.1 million for 2 years is both generous and fair. If someone else wants to pay overs, let them!

 

[coopy]

Like most here I am wondering if he is worth the 650K per year. I think the fact he didn't take it is interesting. I would really struggle to see where else he would get that sort of coin (Titans maybe).

Marty seems like decent enough guy and I don't think it's just a monetary thing for him. He wants a Premiership and perhaps he thinks that just won't happen at the Tigers.

Also if the big fella is getting gassed after 20 minutes, is he doing the right training for NRL? His exceptional powerlifting feats are built around explosive power and strength and not necessarily endurance.

Perhaps there is more to the NFL rumour as he is looks like he is preparing to be a linebacker.

 

[TYGA]

You are all missing the point. He will get the money its how much you put on the salary cap vs TPA's.
RTS wasn't worth $700k at the start of this year either. They need to hang onto Marty Taupau he has huge potential.

 

[Demps]

He must not like it here with the tigers.
I'm starting to dislike him as a person.

 

[Guest]

Unless he has issue with the club, I would have taken that 2 year deal, it's a good one - was a good one. The thing I see with Taupau is that while he continues to increase his power and strength, I fear this will hurt him next season with the reduced interchange. His endurance will suffer at the expense of his strength and power.

One alternative would be to shift him back to the bench and play him for 20 minutes either side of halftime.

 

[goldcoast_tiger]

He must not like it here with the tigers.
I'm starting to dislike him as a person.

Is there a particular reason for that,? Or has he actually done something to deserve it?

 

[TYGA]

Not a chance in hell he takes a 2 year deal with the Tigers for $1.10m anyone stating this is going to happen is not very astute. The salary cap raises to $7.00m in 2017\. The Tigers should look to increase his 2016 salary to compensate.

The issue WT have is we need solid 80 minute back rowers like A Guerra, G Cooper, C Parker etc. who deliver volume consistently.

Taupau is that power player a contending team will pay overs for or a team like the Titans with no stars will also pay for. We have an ace up our sleeves and thats an increase on his existing contract in place for next year. The bigger issue being insinuated in the media is stars won't sign with WT because of JT.

We need to sign big name players for 2017 or we will lose the fan base.

 

[Chris]

IIRC didnt he post a tweet a month or two back about the team sticking together and not leaving the club that everything will work out or something along those lines? I tried looking for it but it seems to have disappeared and a couple of his other tweets that I remember him posting.

 

[WestsSupporter]

650k/year I don't really have a problem with that. I'd say that's about his market price. And in 2 years time he could be a marquee player and command the big bucks, who knows.

 

[Demps]

He must not like it here with the tigers.
I'm starting to dislike him as a person.

Is there a particular reason for that,? Or has he actually done something to deserve it?

Just appears he is showing his true colours.
Knocking back big money, shopping himself around supposedly.
Without being too harsh - we (the tigers) have made him who he is today.

If it wasn't for us, he'd be in NSW cup at the doggies, doing nothing.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

He must not like it here with the tigers.
I'm starting to dislike him as a person.

Is there a particular reason for that,? Or has he actually done something to deserve it?

Just appears he is showing his true colours.
Knocking back big money, shopping himself around supposedly.
Without being too harsh - we (the tigers) have made him who he is today.

If it wasn't for us, he'd be in NSW cup at the doggies, doing nothing.

I agree, there's a little bit of the Ben Teo vibe about him, though he doesn't seem as shameless as Teo. If the offer we made him is legit, then it was very generous and you wonder what stopped him from accepting. He'll regret it if he comes out in the first couple weeks and gets a Simon Dwyer or Tuiaki kind of injury and never plays again. It might be far fetched, but don't think it can never happen. That's why you take the money while you can. Atm, he's one serious injury away from having nothing to show financially for the impact he's made the last 2 seasons.

 

[Demps]

I'm not sure if it is black and white as this,
but he either wants more money or he doesn't like the club.

Whatever the case…
He should be more appreciative.

He'd be worth a 40k contract with ya local reserve grade team if we didn't give him a shot.
Made him a household name.

Pfft.... wouldn't be playing for the NZ team if he was a benchie/reserve grader at the dogs still.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Not a chance in hell he takes a 2 year deal with the Tigers for $1.10m anyone stating this is going to happen is not very astute. The salary cap raises to $7.00m in 2017\. The Tigers should look to increase his 2016 salary to compensate.

The issue WT have is we need solid 80 minute back rowers like A Guerra, G Cooper, C Parker etc. who deliver volume consistently.

Taupau is that power player a contending team will pay overs for or a team like the Titans with no stars will also pay for. We have an ace up our sleeves and thats an increase on his existing contract in place for next year. The bigger issue being insinuated in the media is stars won't sign with WT because of JT.

We need to sign big name players for 2017 or we will lose the fan base.

Sorry I don't agree with the 1st part.

Is Marty one of our top 4-5 players with the way the interchange rules move?

600k is a lot of money and regardless of the cap changes that could buy us a workhorse backrower and contribute to a prop who would add more than 10-20mins of quality week in week out.

I don't think Marty is worth 400+ TBH he has been far more inconsistent than consistent this year and playing time has been terrible considering the new interchange rules.

For someone having a crack at the world rowing record he should be super fit and I still don't understand how he hasn't turned his fitness onto the park and consistent results.

I would love Marty to stay but we shouldn't be paying overs for him.

_Posted using RoarFEED 4.2.0_

 

[Demps]

Let some other idiots pay a fortune for him to give away penalties and huff and puff every game.
If he doesn't want to be here, catch u later.

Get a few good runs out of him from the bench but again,
the bloke thinks he's Sonny Bill and should start / get whatever he wants / get paid a billion dollars.

Doesn't he wanna live out his dream of playing NFL or being a WWE wrestler in the future…
Good luck to ya

 

[Chadman_s_Ghost]

No point being angry about whatever Marty chooses to do.

$1.1 million for 2 years- I'm glad he turned that back to be honest as I think that would be another financial poor decision. He's not worth that kind of money.

Go find some hungry 80 minute types & give them a go until we have the salary cap sorted out. Spending 'big' at the Tigers has never, ever worked out- has it?