Martin Taupau will not be signing with a Super League club for next season after earning himself a new NRL deal for 2025.
The Brisbane Broncos forward has been perennially linked with a switch to England, with Leeds Rhinos just one of the clubs rumoured to have interest of late before the arrivals of Keenan Palasia and Cooper Jenkins.
However, Taupau won’t be leaving the Broncos this off-season, with the Samoa international penning a new one-year contract with the club.
Via a club statement, the 34-year-old said: “Having an extended contract at this stage of my career means a lot to me.
“This contract is more than just another season. Personally, it represents the trust that my team and fans have in me to continue contributing, both on and off the field.
“It’s also a chance for me to mentor younger players and pass on the lessons I’ve learned, hoping to inspire them the same way I was inspired when I first started.
“Being able to keep doing what I love at this level – it’s a real privilege, and I’m incredibly grateful.”
He’ll be part of a side playing under new head coach Michael Maguire after his departure from the NSW Blues set up.
Super League-linked forward pens new NRL deal
Credit: Imago Images
A former Samoa and New Zealand international with almost 250 NRL appearances, he’d have been a big-name signing for any Super League side.
For Manly Sea Eagles alone, he made 156 appearances, and got his big break at Canterbury Bulldogs due to a suspension for former St Helens and Great Britain star James Graham freeing up a starting spot.
A main-stay of the side in 2023, he made just three appearances early in the 2024 campaign due to the emergence of young talents and the form of Corey Jensen.
However, he had an excellent end to the season after being re-instated to the first team after a spell in the reserve-grade Queensland Cup, playing the final 10 games and finishing the year with a remarkable 97% tackle efficiency that no doubt helped him secure his future at the club.
