Marty on the move: Taupau to link with Cowboys, sooner rather than later

Iconic NRL enforcer Marty Taupau is set to link up with the North Queensland Cowboys after the Manly Sea Eagles told the 32-year-old he will be surplus to requirements once his current contract (running to Nov. 2022) expires.

Taupau has become one of the more feared NRL enforcers since his debut with the Bulldogs in 2010. It’s the kind of grit the Cowboys want to add to their roster heading into 2023, especially after their forward pack came up slightly short last week.

Just weeks ago, Taupau told Fox Sports he’d had no interest for next year.

If the 32-year-old does sign with the Cowboys, there are several variables. Taupau shapes as a near-perfect replacement for North Queensland prop Jordan McLean, whose own deal ends in October. Coin would be a little different, but the Cowboys are willing to shoulder any difference if it means they have a clear-cut lead in their pack rotation.

The second variable is availability — Taupau is playing for the Sea Eagles at the moment, but the silvertails have made it clear he’s free to walk out the door whenever a new team is happy to take him.

What that means is Taupau could ditch maroon for navy and yellow sooner rather than later. The Cowboys are relatively stocked up on forwards, but adding a genuine NRL enforcer to the mix is something Todd Payten has quietly been asking for behind the scenes at the Hutchinson Builders Centre since he joined the club.

It is understood the Samoan international is just as eager for the club swap.

Taupau’s performances in the opening weeks of the 2022 NRL season hold the key. If he trends upwards again after a difficult last campaign, the Cowboys will move quickly to scoop him up. If things continue to dip for the aging prop, however, Payten may look elsewhere to bolster his stocks.

Manly face the Roosters on the road on March 18, then play back-to-back home games against the Bulldogs and Raiders heading into April. Marty is still expected to start for the Sea Eagles.