Taupau saga over at last

MANLY hopes to have Martin Taupau at its disposal for Saturday’s NRL clash with Penrith despite his four-day ordeal to return to Australia.

Taupau was yesterday afternoon finally on a plane and headed back to Sydney following a long and frustrating series of delays in the US.

After turning out for New Zealand in the mid-year Test against England in Denver on Sunday morning (AEST), he was due to fly out the following day.

However, after being held up by an electrical storm and having a flight cancelled because of mechanical issues, he was finally on a plane home out of San Francisco and due back in Australia today.

Taupau is a chance to take part in tomorrow’s captain’s run in an effort to prove he is fit and ready to take on Penrith at Panthers Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

“[Taupau] will be assessed on his return by performance and medical staff before any decisions are made,” Manly football operations general manager Gareth Holmes said.

After earlier expressing his frustration at the delay in getting home, Taupau yesterday said he was relieved.

“Well this has definitely been an experience to forget, but I am excited to say that I’m finally coming home after a treacherous adventure,” Taupau said on Twitter.

“I must say what has made this adventure comforting is the professionalism from @NZRL_Kiwis staff and my fiance back home.”

Taupau’s inclusion would be a big bonus against the Panthers’ pack, considered by many to be the competition benchmark.