Wests Tigers have today taken a step in bolstering the forward pack for next season with the signing of tough Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs prop Martin Taupau on a three-year deal.
Taupau made his NRL debut for the Bulldogs in 2010 after being a dominate player in the NYC competition. He missed most of the 2011 season through injury before playing 10 first grade matches last year.
Taupau has played seven games for the Bulldogs this season, averaging an impressive 89 metres per game.
The 111 kilogram prop represented the Australian Schoolboys team in 2008 and is a former Junior Kiwis captain.
Martin is a powerful player who will add plenty of size and strength and depth to the important front-row position, Coach Mick Potter said.
He will be a welcome addition to the forward pack next season.
In April, Taupau represented Samoa alongside Wests Tigers players Eddy Pettybourne and Masada Iosefa in a Test Match against Tonga.
Although contracted to Canterbury-Bankstown until the end of the 2014 season, the Bulldogs have granted Taupau a release to allow him to further develop his career. He will finish the season in the blue and white jersey before joining Wests Tigers for pre-season training in November.
Martin Taupau Profile
Pronounication: Ta-pow
Born: 03/02/1990, Auckland, NZ
Junior Clubs: Padstow Panthers, Greenacre Tigers
Position: Prop
Height: 190cm
Weight: 111kg
Rep Honours: Nil
Previous Clubs: Nil
NRL debut: Bulldogs v Warriors, ANZ Stadium, 10/04/2010 (Rd 5)
Taupau made his NRL debut for the Bulldogs in 2010 after being a dominate player in the NYC competition. He missed most of the 2011 season through injury before playing 10 first grade matches last year.
Taupau has played seven games for the Bulldogs this season, averaging an impressive 89 metres per game.
The 111 kilogram prop represented the Australian Schoolboys team in 2008 and is a former Junior Kiwis captain.
Martin is a powerful player who will add plenty of size and strength and depth to the important front-row position, Coach Mick Potter said.
He will be a welcome addition to the forward pack next season.
In April, Taupau represented Samoa alongside Wests Tigers players Eddy Pettybourne and Masada Iosefa in a Test Match against Tonga.
Although contracted to Canterbury-Bankstown until the end of the 2014 season, the Bulldogs have granted Taupau a release to allow him to further develop his career. He will finish the season in the blue and white jersey before joining Wests Tigers for pre-season training in November.
Martin Taupau Profile
Pronounication: Ta-pow
Born: 03/02/1990, Auckland, NZ
Junior Clubs: Padstow Panthers, Greenacre Tigers
Position: Prop
Height: 190cm
Weight: 111kg
Rep Honours: Nil
Previous Clubs: Nil
NRL debut: Bulldogs v Warriors, ANZ Stadium, 10/04/2010 (Rd 5)
