For a long time during 2021 it looked as though Martin Taupau would be plying his trade in colours other than the Maroon of the Sea Eagles in 2022.
Despite a year being left on his deal, it was fait accompli that big Marty was on his way out.
Except nothing ever eventuated and he will almost certainly run out in the eight or ten jersey for the Sea Eagles come Round 1.
Given the talk, and the fact his contract is reportedly set to expire at the end of this season, the talk will start again.
Below are the five most likely destinations for Marty Tauapu for 2023 and beyond:
Last season it looked as though Manly were moving away from their middle enforcer.
He was linked to a host of clubs, most notably the Sharks. All the talks were that it was only a matter of time until he ran out in black, white and blue.
It never eventuated.
Did Manly have a change of thinking? It certainly looks so.
Manly have a brilliant forward pack. It is though, a young pack, which outside of Jake Trbojevic, would be very inexperienced if Taupau were to move on.
Haumole Olakau’atu, Josh Schuster, Taniela Paseka, Sean Keppie, Karl Lawton and Ethan Bullemor. Brilliant names. That second row is one of the most exciting in the NRL.
Without using a search engine though, have any of those players played over 100 games? Or even 50?
Taupau is still an absolute monster and doesn't seem to be slowing down. He provides a great deal of experience and a relatively cool head.
It seems as though Des Hasler's thinking has changed. I wouldn't be shocked, at all, if Taupau's tenure at Brookvale was extended by a season or two.
Taupau will be 32 years of age before the 2022 season kicks off. So he'll be 33 by the time his next contract starts.
He's a big, aggressive forward who, despite his age, is still an NRL-starter level talent entering into (most likely) what will be his final contract.
This just screams Super League!
With the NRL moving towards younger, more mobile forwards, Taupau's future may lay in England.
There will be NRL interest but the Super League may present the best chance of a contract somewhat near his current worth.
Taupau walks into most Super League sides. Catalans love their experienced, ex-NRL stars. I'd be happy to see him pop up at Wigan.
Taupau may be 31-turning-32 but he's still out lifting everyone in the gym and looks like he's in his mid to late 20s.
Super League would be his best chance of gaining a longer-term deal on more money.
He would be worth every cent!
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Despite a raft of signings upfront for 2022 and beyond, I think it's fair to suggest that the Dragons need a little aggression and power in their engine room.
The Red V seem hell bent on moving on Tariq Sims, which I still maintain is ridiculous, whilst they added George Burgess and Aaron Woods.
Five years ago those two players would be enforcers, but now they look like bench options.
Blake Lawrie is a good prospect but if I'm an opposition forward and I'm asked which NRL front-rower is causing nightmares, with the greatest of respects to Mr Lawrie, I doubt his name comes to mind.
The Dragons have shown they're willing to sign older forwards. Again, 33 isn't exactly "old", and with only 200 (likely 220-ish) games under his belt, Taupau's body hasn't taken 300 or more games of punishment.
I'd name Taupau in the Dragons starting line-up in Round 1. Jack de Belin isn't a front-rower and I'm not willing to name Burgess or Woods over him.
Look for the Dragons to, at very least, have a chat.
The Dolphins are going to be linked to every off-contract player this season, including Martin Taupau.
Thus far they've failed to land a big fish. Taupau, at this stage of his career, is not that big fish. In his mid-twenties, he absolutely would have been.
Fans of the NRL's newest club will want to be competitive right away. At current, this looks as though it may be difficult.
Wayne Bennett will need to pad his side with experienced players with a look to the short-term. Not every contract issued will be a four-year deal.
Taupau is the kind of player you could sign tomorrow, plug into a run on spot, or bench spot, and be sure what you're going to get.
Pairing Taupau with a young prop could pay big dividends. He has the experience and has developed the cool head to mentor young props.
Don't be shoked if Bennett looks for a one or two-year deal with the veteran. It is a stop-gap option but ensures a monster prop from day one.
Born in Auckland, a return to the Warriors would be an incredible way for Taupau to end his NRL career.
The Warriors, for all their talent, lack a bench prop that will have opposition teams looking over their shoulder.
Truthfully he would probably have to be willing to accept a bench role given the Matt Lodge and Addin Fonua-Blake run-on partnership, but to move home, may be well worth it.
The Warriors have shown they are willing to sign players at the back-end of their careers, especially for local players, so this makes sense.
Verdict
There's usually an obvious, standout option on these lists, but here I don't see one. I see two.
Warriors or Dolphins.
Wayne Bennett and the Fins are going to need some experienced pinch hitters to ensure they can do from round one, 2023.
The Warriors need an aggressive bench option and (Covid allowing) present Taupau with a brilliant opportunity for a swansong back home, if he chooses.
Either option would make the world of sense, but as if I had to put money on today - Warriors.