Three Super League clubs ex-Leeds Rhinos target Martin Taupau could join

Being part of Samoa’s monster pack during the World Cup, former Manly Sea Eagle Martin Taupau will now spend his off season looking for a new club after his international exploits.

Once a target of the Leeds Rhinos, Taupau has been a stalwart in the NRL over the past 12 years making over 220 appearances for three different clubs. After requesting release from the Sea Eagles, “Marty Kapow” as he is nicknamed is looking to continue his stellar career possibly overseas

Aged 32 he is on the older side for a prop but his performances in the NRL and World Cup this past year have shown he still has a lot to offer if he decides to make the switch to Super League.

Wigan Warriors

After enjoying a successful first season under Head Coach Matty Peet, winning the Challenge Cup. Missing out on the Grand Final left a damper on their 2022 season and they will be looking to bolster their squad in 2023 to take them back to the big dance. Prop forward has been a position of concern for Wigan over recent years and with The Game Caller reporting Patrick Mago has signed with Featherstone Rovers for 2023 they will need to bolster their pack for next season. Samoan international Taupau would give Wigan some serious power in the middle and would help them in their quest to knock rivals St Helens off their perch.

Castleford Tigers

Castleford have already made a number of signings for 2023 including a likely new half pairing of Jacob Miller and Gareth Widdop. They have also signed strong in the forwards and could bring in Samoan Taupau as they continue to strengthen their squad for next season. Head Coach Lee Radford will have spent the last six weeks with the prop and will know what he can bring to his side next year, a front row of Taupau, Liam Watts and Paul McShane offers bags of experience to this Tigers side.

Catalans Dragons

Although this may seem like a bit of a left field place for Taupau to land, the Dragons are looking to re-strengthen their pack with three props leaving the club. Dylan Napa was released, whilst Sam Kasiano and Gil Dudson have both made the switch to Warrington Wolves. Catalans have gone about replacing them signing Romain Navarrete and Siosiua Taukeiaho but still seem a prop short as they look to go one better than they did in 2021. Taupau and Taukeiaho would form a formidable front row partnership in Super League or the NRL and could cause havoc amongst defences.