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Wests Tigers’ Martin Taupau on NRL enforcer tag, depression — and singing with The Wiggles
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WESTS Tigers’ Marty Taupau is singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. It’s Saturday. Campbelltown Catholic Club.
The NRL enforcer on stage, miked up and synchronising — no small feat considering the dreadlocks, biceps and not so subtle reputation for violence — with that renowned quartet of colourful skivvies, The Wiggles.
And within 24 hours, we now know, things will be much different.
Taupau not so much singing about stars the following afternoon at ANZ Stadium, as trying to set them spinning above the head of Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds.
George Burgess, too.
And as for Souths centre Bryson Goodwin … well, this Aucklander will hunt him like bloodhounds do convicts.
But as for how the man himself explains all this?
“After the weekend, I know there’s been some negative talk,” Taupau concedes, chatting with League Central before a Wednesday training session.
“I’ve heard people say my aggression against Souths, it was too much. That it lacked discipline.
“But I just think the way I play, it’s been taken the wrong way.
“I’m young. I’m a forward. And I don’t take a backward step to anyone. An NRL enforcer they’re calling it ...
“Well, they can call me an enforcer, a villain, doesn’t matter,’’ Taupau shrugs. “I don’t bother with any of that rubbish.”
Which is why this story must be told — now.
Understanding that after five years in the rugby league wilderness — of park footy, warming benches and terrible bouts of depression — Martin Taupau has finally arrived.
Virtually unknown 12 months ago, he is now a Wests Tigers mainstay. A New Zealand international. An NRL cult figure so easily recognised, Anthony Field, aka the Blue Wiggle, not only picks him in a full house, but hauls all 111kg on stage to perform with him.
And you need to know Taupau accepted.
Realising that behind this NRL enforcer dubbed ‘Kapow’ — a fella who can dead lift 300kg — is also a doting father-of-two. A relaxed practical joker.
A fella who even while playing only 20 top grade games in four years at Canterbury, never let mates in on the depression he suffered.
“Gentle giant,” says Tim Browne, the close friend with whom Taupau rose through the Bulldogs ranks. “The only bad thing about him are those hairstyles.”
Dogs lock Greg Eastwood agrees, adding: “Away from footy, Marty is laid-back, funny, a father who loves his kids.
“But when he runs onto the field, something turns. Something inside him changes.”
Doesn’t it what?
According to Fox Sports Statistics, Taupau is currently averaging 113m per outing in the NRL. His game time also up a dozen minutes on last year, to 48.
Equally outstanding in the Four Nations final last November, this rising Kiwi churned through 90 metres, four tackle busts and three offloads in the opening 22 minutes alone. Injury the only thing preventing him from turning our Kangaroos into roadkill.
“I’ve only played him a few times, but Marty is among the strongest ball runners I’ve ever come across,’’ Englishman James Graham concurs.
“And he’s not just a one-trick pony, either. Marty can use the ball, which makes him incredibly tough to defend.”
So how is it this braided tyro was almost washed up at 20?
Despite arriving in Belmore with a resume boasting Australian Schoolboys, Junior Kiwis and who knows how many corpses, Taupau played only the one game in his debut year of 2010.
Over the next two years, he appeared nine times. Then in 2013, eleven.
“And during all that, I battled demons,” he concedes. “Given they’re personal, I don’t really want to discuss them.
“But you can say I battled demons. A lot of them.”
Indeed, during his darkest stretch of 16 months, Taupau sought help from esteemed mind coach John Novak.
“I actually spoke to a few people, including John,’’ he says. “I needed to clear my head; clear my thinking process.
“I was at a club with James Graham and Aiden Tolman; with Sam Kasiano being named Dally M Prop of the Year.
“There was nothing for me. I was really negative and needed help. Needed to be shown some positives.”
And the result?
“Thankfully, people did that,’’ he says. “I’m blessed to have had so many people help me overcome and start again.”
And one of those, you should know, is dumped Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter.
Leading into his second season as head coach, and desperate to add starch to a struggling pack, Potter had one spot remaining and two choices — Taupau or Matt Groat, the rising club favourite who 16 months earlier had starred in a Holden Cup premiership.
Almost everyone wanted Groat. But Potter ... well, he saw in Taupau what so many others thought was done.
Another backer is Sebastian Oreb, the strength guru with whom this Aucklander trains in his spare time. And retired New Zealand captain Nathan Cayless, whose father is partnered with Taupau’s mum.
“Nath is an inspiration, for sure,’’ the Tigers forward says. “You look at what he’s achieved ... I want that too.”
And good luck finding anyone to bet against it. For despite the wait, Taupau is now coming good on the promise.
Reawakening that teen who, as a Junior Kiwi, wasn’t only called into training with the top squad, but warned off after competing in wrestling drills like they were a UFC fight.
Taupau is old school tough. New age strong.
Playing what Browne, his old Canterbury gym partner, calls “interesting” footy.
But as for how that same guy winds up performing with The Wiggles?
“Oh, easy,’’ he grins. “Anthony Field, he’s a huge Wests Tigers fan.
“So when I took my family along to see them last Saturday, one thing led to another and I was called on stage. And I had to be a good sport, didn’t I?”
Better, they reckon you might be the best singer in the NRL too?
“Nah, nah, don’t put that,’’ Taupau laughs. “I just go along with things. It’s called lip syncing.”
Originally published as There’s more to Taupau than the Kapow
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WESTS Tigers’ Marty Taupau is singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. It’s Saturday. Campbelltown Catholic Club.
The NRL enforcer on stage, miked up and synchronising — no small feat considering the dreadlocks, biceps and not so subtle reputation for violence — with that renowned quartet of colourful skivvies, The Wiggles.
And within 24 hours, we now know, things will be much different.
Taupau not so much singing about stars the following afternoon at ANZ Stadium, as trying to set them spinning above the head of Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds.
George Burgess, too.
And as for Souths centre Bryson Goodwin … well, this Aucklander will hunt him like bloodhounds do convicts.
But as for how the man himself explains all this?
“After the weekend, I know there’s been some negative talk,” Taupau concedes, chatting with League Central before a Wednesday training session.
“I’ve heard people say my aggression against Souths, it was too much. That it lacked discipline.
“But I just think the way I play, it’s been taken the wrong way.
“I’m young. I’m a forward. And I don’t take a backward step to anyone. An NRL enforcer they’re calling it ...
“Well, they can call me an enforcer, a villain, doesn’t matter,’’ Taupau shrugs. “I don’t bother with any of that rubbish.”
Which is why this story must be told — now.
Understanding that after five years in the rugby league wilderness — of park footy, warming benches and terrible bouts of depression — Martin Taupau has finally arrived.
Virtually unknown 12 months ago, he is now a Wests Tigers mainstay. A New Zealand international. An NRL cult figure so easily recognised, Anthony Field, aka the Blue Wiggle, not only picks him in a full house, but hauls all 111kg on stage to perform with him.
And you need to know Taupau accepted.
Realising that behind this NRL enforcer dubbed ‘Kapow’ — a fella who can dead lift 300kg — is also a doting father-of-two. A relaxed practical joker.
A fella who even while playing only 20 top grade games in four years at Canterbury, never let mates in on the depression he suffered.
“Gentle giant,” says Tim Browne, the close friend with whom Taupau rose through the Bulldogs ranks. “The only bad thing about him are those hairstyles.”
Dogs lock Greg Eastwood agrees, adding: “Away from footy, Marty is laid-back, funny, a father who loves his kids.
“But when he runs onto the field, something turns. Something inside him changes.”
Doesn’t it what?
According to Fox Sports Statistics, Taupau is currently averaging 113m per outing in the NRL. His game time also up a dozen minutes on last year, to 48.
Equally outstanding in the Four Nations final last November, this rising Kiwi churned through 90 metres, four tackle busts and three offloads in the opening 22 minutes alone. Injury the only thing preventing him from turning our Kangaroos into roadkill.
“I’ve only played him a few times, but Marty is among the strongest ball runners I’ve ever come across,’’ Englishman James Graham concurs.
“And he’s not just a one-trick pony, either. Marty can use the ball, which makes him incredibly tough to defend.”
So how is it this braided tyro was almost washed up at 20?
Despite arriving in Belmore with a resume boasting Australian Schoolboys, Junior Kiwis and who knows how many corpses, Taupau played only the one game in his debut year of 2010.
Over the next two years, he appeared nine times. Then in 2013, eleven.
“And during all that, I battled demons,” he concedes. “Given they’re personal, I don’t really want to discuss them.
“But you can say I battled demons. A lot of them.”
Indeed, during his darkest stretch of 16 months, Taupau sought help from esteemed mind coach John Novak.
“I actually spoke to a few people, including John,’’ he says. “I needed to clear my head; clear my thinking process.
“I was at a club with James Graham and Aiden Tolman; with Sam Kasiano being named Dally M Prop of the Year.
“There was nothing for me. I was really negative and needed help. Needed to be shown some positives.”
And the result?
“Thankfully, people did that,’’ he says. “I’m blessed to have had so many people help me overcome and start again.”
And one of those, you should know, is dumped Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter.
Leading into his second season as head coach, and desperate to add starch to a struggling pack, Potter had one spot remaining and two choices — Taupau or Matt Groat, the rising club favourite who 16 months earlier had starred in a Holden Cup premiership.
Almost everyone wanted Groat. But Potter ... well, he saw in Taupau what so many others thought was done.
Another backer is Sebastian Oreb, the strength guru with whom this Aucklander trains in his spare time. And retired New Zealand captain Nathan Cayless, whose father is partnered with Taupau’s mum.
“Nath is an inspiration, for sure,’’ the Tigers forward says. “You look at what he’s achieved ... I want that too.”
And good luck finding anyone to bet against it. For despite the wait, Taupau is now coming good on the promise.
Reawakening that teen who, as a Junior Kiwi, wasn’t only called into training with the top squad, but warned off after competing in wrestling drills like they were a UFC fight.
Taupau is old school tough. New age strong.
Playing what Browne, his old Canterbury gym partner, calls “interesting” footy.
But as for how that same guy winds up performing with The Wiggles?
“Oh, easy,’’ he grins. “Anthony Field, he’s a huge Wests Tigers fan.
“So when I took my family along to see them last Saturday, one thing led to another and I was called on stage. And I had to be a good sport, didn’t I?”
Better, they reckon you might be the best singer in the NRL too?
“Nah, nah, don’t put that,’’ Taupau laughs. “I just go along with things. It’s called lip syncing.”
Originally published as There’s more to Taupau than the Kapow
