Brisbane are set to sign former Manly prop Marty Taupau for the 2023 NRL season in a huge boost to the middle forward rotation depth.
AAP has been told that the 32-year-old agreed to terms on Friday after a flying visit from Sydney to Brisbane where he toured facilities. He enjoyed a coffee in the Broncos League Club with club officials while the players were training in the morning, had a physio appointment and then flew home.
An official announcement is expected to be made by the Broncos.
Taupau has played 222 NRL games after starting his career at Canterbury and then moving to Wests Tigers.
It is at the Sea Eagles for the past seven seasons where he built a formidable reputation as a prop to be reckoned with. He played for New Zealand on 24 occasions at Test level, and most recently represented Samoa at the World Cup.
Brisbane have a young group of props aside from Corey Jensen, and lost the experienced Ryan James last year to retirement.
Taupau is regarded by the Broncos' hierarchy as a strong mentor for the developing forwards.
The club also expects to lose a sizeable chunk of their pack at State of Origin time with Payne Haas (NSW) and Queensland trio Pat Carrigan, Tom Flegler and Kurt Capewell amongst them.
Enforcer Taupau will be a huge asset during that time of the year and the coaching staff believe can lift and challenge those around him to be better.
Australian Associated Press
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