Exclusive: The real reasons behind Martin Taupau's requested move to Manly

In another one of our patented faux-scoops, The Roar has gained unprecedented imaginary access to the Martin Taupau camp where the real reasons were unearthed as to why he’s attempting to GTFO of the Tigers ASAP.

As speculated this week, the corn-rowed firebrand has requested an immediate release from his contract at Wests, with rumours rife that he’s already signed for 2017 with Manly but is looking to head north pronto anyway, because, you know, contracts just don’t bind like they used to.

We can reveal the Kiwi international’s main motivation for fleeing the joint venture is because of their iron-fisted administration and epidemic political instability, and his desperation for change is so strong that he’s willing to work under the same conditions at the Sea Eagles.

When queried on the move by The Roar, a source close to Taupau acknowledged the hit-machine’s intentions as like “trying to flee Beirut for North Korea” but conceded “the schnitties are better at Manly’s Leagues Club, and even better, Manly actually has a Leagues Club”.

Those close to Taupau say he is drawn to the security of knowing his place at the club would be guaranteed until at least Round 20, and if it isn’t, that he’ll be offered a contract extension in Round 12 before being told to look elsewhere two weeks later.

In addition to this, the all-action Auckland product is mightily excited about the stability the club provides from top-to-bottom, mainly due to their massive raft of recent knee-jerk changes and because Bob Fulton said so.

Taupau believes that the club’s decision to appoint an untested rookie coach to a hostile role left vacant by the ruthless sacking of a 27-year club legend is sure to make for a composed environment that provides the best chance for the team to make the finals, which is good because they fire coaches who don’t.

The 25-year-old is also heavily encouraged by the state-of-the-art facilities on offer at Manly’s high-tech Narrabeen training base, however this facet of his decision was a no-contest considering the Tigers’ extensive collection of 1975 dumbbells.

In fact, he was left breathless by the sight of a skipping rope and some old calves blood from 2007 when touring the facilities, and friends say this was the decisive moment when he decided he wanted to play his footy at the famous northern beaches club that’s approved by 50 per cent of Stewart Brothers.

While privately Taupau is dead keen on negotiating the move swiftly, publicly he is keeping his powder dry as he is mindful of not turning the situation in to another trademark Tigers debacle that further stains their withered and almost lifeless brand.

The wild-eyed big bopper is also at pains to ensure his request isn’t seen as further denigration to Jason Taylor’s coaching reputation.

“This is nothing to do with JT,” a friend of Taupau’s said. “Bar his philosophies, methods and ability as a rugby league coach, Marty fully supports him.

“This move to Manly is purely a lifestyle decision. As in, he hates his lifestyle at the Tigers.”

Another source close to Taupau has made it clear that the last thing the New Zealand representative wants for the Tigers is another Robbie Farah-like circus, and that he’s prepared to wage a boardroom war to provoke a contract breach over workplace issues so there’s no comparison.

“Marty has nothing against the Tigers board. Sure, the organisation has got its issues; Leichhardt Oval, Rozelle Leagues, Campbelltown, not paying his wages on time, the board. Besides that, he would bleed for the joint.”

In response, a Wests Tigers board member declared that all contract negotiations for 2016 had been finalised and that Taupau was a required employee for next season.

When questioned further, he acknowledged that the only terms under which the hit-up heathen would be released was if he was part of a package deal that somehow also freed them of Farah.

The Tigers powerbroker then also denied that a swap deal had been discussed with Manly, and that at this point in the season the club would only discuss transfer deals exclusively with NFL franchises because “that’s what the kids are doing nowadays”.

Taupau’s camp replied by saying that while he had considered having a crack at American football, it was Manly or bust.

While gridiron certainly appealed to the prime-time tackle-buster, he preferred to respect the sport’s respected customs by working his way on to an NFL roster via the game’s traditional pathways, that being through Parramatta and/or the AFL.