Enforcer Taupau in call for equal pay
Kiwis’ rock sympathises with Pacific players
Kiwis enforcer Martin Taupau has declared Samoa the enemy ahead of tomorrow’s Rugby League World Cup clash — but believes both teams deserve equal pay.
The Manly forward played one test for Samoa in 2013 and has plenty of sympathy for the plight of the secondtier nations and their financial struggles.
Although New Zealand, Australia and England players are understood to be in line to earn up to $50,000 throughout the five-week tournament, players representing Pacific nations such as Samoa will subsist on minimal match payments and a $30 per diem.
Taupau is anticipating fireworks when the two sides meet at Mt Smart Stadium tomorrow night, but two days out from their campaign opener he went in to bat for the opposition and their quest for financial parity.
“It’s a very sensitive subject when we talk about the budgets and how much X amount the Pacific island teams get paid,” said Taupau.
“It’s out of our control. We’re just players here and whatever we get paid we’re not here to brag or anything.
“As Samoan players we definitely want to support that and have equality throughout the whole league.
“It’s obviously not going to happen overnight and will certainly take some time and it’s all about growth and not only from the NRL but also with the Pacific nations.
“It will definitely take time but just at this moment we’re more than focused on our campaign and being No 1.”
The 27-year-old won’t be so chari- table come game time, with coach David Kidwell naming him as a starting prop for the first time in his 17th test outing for the Kiwis.
Taupau hasn’t forgotten his Samoan roots, but is ready to rip in and “terrorise” the opposition pack and help the Kiwis forwards dominate in the middle of the park.
“It is very important and it’s always a privilege playing against Samoa, coming from Samoan heritage,” he explained of the occasion.
“There’s always a sense of respect but, in saying that, we’re enemies, so I’m going to go out there with the other 16 players and we’ll definitely be putting everything on the line.
“We’re here to do a job and that’s to be the most successful team in the campaign and come out on top.”
Having led the Kiwis’ second-wave of forward grunt off the bench in memorable victories over Australia in the 2014 Four Nations final and the 2015 Anzac test, Taupau says he’s since grown accustomed to starting games for the Sea Eagles. “I’ve transitioned now into being a starting player at Manly and in the way that I can produce my best football.”
The match will provide our first glimpse of the revamped “Kiwis style” of football that Kidwell has designed for his team, but Taupau says his role will remain fairly traditional.
“In simple terms, Kiwis football, being a front-rower, [means] we’re absolutely terrorising the middle and laying the platform.
“[I’ll] just do my job — run hard, tackle hard.
“I hope to see you out there because there will definitely be some fireworks.”