Boom Wests Tigers forward Martin Taupau has reportedly asked for an early release from the final year of his contract.
Taupau was one of the Tigers’ strongest players in a dismal campaign this season.
Wests have already suffered the losses of players such as Pat Richards, Keith Galloway and probably Robbie Farah in a tumultuous end to 2015.
In the middle of what is supposed to be the club’s rebuilding phase, they are losing their best.
According to Fox Sports, South Sydney and the Gold Coast are the front-runners for the big man’s signature.
The strength of Taupau has been his aggressiveness and powerful running, not to mention his neat offloads.
Taupau has been rewarded for his style of play with representative honours, the 25-year-old having played a total of six Tests for New Zealand following his debut last year.
It is clear the Tigers’ salary cap problems are hitting them hard. Obviously the Farah saga has highlighted the problem, and fixing it involves removing high-earning players from the club’s books.
Tigers chairwoman Marina Go earlier this year said the club’s salary cup troubles would take three years to sort out. During this time they will be relying on a young and inexperienced spine to lead them around the park.
The Tigers desperately need strong forwards like Taupau at the club to allow their young halves to play off forward momentum.
At this stage it looks like young Manaia Cherrington will be taking the reins at hooker, and he needs strong options to pass to. Likewise, Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses will find it a lot easier when the forwards have done their job well. Although they have bucketloads of talent, they need a platform to provide the space to fully express themselves.
The scintillating James Tedesco would love to continue playing off Taupau’s edges, finding open space in the middle of the field around tired defenders.
As a Tigers fan I would really, really love big ‘Marty Kapow’ to stay at the club and help the Tigers get back to the top. But is the club in any position to keep him?
The Tigers needs the money and though it’s said, if Taupau doesn’t want to stay, it is best to let him go.
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