Maguire breaks silence on Taupau split

Brisbane Broncos coach Michael Maguire has spoken about the decision for the Broncos to part ways with Martin Taupau.

Speaking at a club press conference, Maguire played a straight bat when answering question regarding the situation saying that it is up to the club to sort out. He did not provide any comments regarding his personal feelings towards Taupau.

This comes after the news that the veteran prop is set to part ways with the Brisbane Broncos, effective immediately.

“The club is still working through that (Taupau’s early release), so I won’t make too many comments,” Maguire said.

“I want everyone that is at the club or moves from the club at some stage to prosper on the back of what they do.

“That (Taupau leaving) will be sorted out as we move forward, but the club is still working through a few things.

“I will let that play out."

Taupau's early release is believed to have come about following a post he liked on Instagram from former NZ representative Elijah Taylor which criticised the Broncos slip in form. They were 4-1 at Round 5 and are now 5-5 after 10 rounds.

In the post, Taylor believed that the intensity that Maguire demands from his players could explain the dip in form after playing under him at Wests Tigers.

“One, his intensity. I’ve never seen a coach ride the game so hard,” Taylor said.

“After a win, the world is a better place. After a loss, you’re off to a funeral, and someone will be getting cooked at the video session.

“Two, training methods. Ninety-five per cent of the time on the field, it’s full contact. The hardest pre-season I have ever done is with Michael Maguire.

“You haven’t done an NRL pre-season until you have done a Michael Maguire pre-season.

“Three, time efficiency. Let’s have a meeting for a meeting for a meeting. I’d get home from training, and the kids don’t know who I am anymore. Hardly home.”

Taupau has only played 18 minutes for the Broncos this season when he came off the bench against the Roosters in Round 6.

This was after playing 33 games across two years after signing for the Broncos in 2023, when Kevin Walters was the head coach.

The 256-game player also released a statement on Friday in which he apologised for the incident.

"Today I liked a video by Elijah Taylor talking about Michael Maguire's coaching methods," Taupau stated.

"I regret this as it was not my intention to endorse the video. I removed the like immediately after.”