Marty Taupau, a Sea Eagles enforcer, has requested an immediate release from the club, just hours after wearing the team’s pride jersey against the Roosters on Thursday night.
The hulking forward’s management reportedly asked Manly for permission to leave the team as soon as possible so he could join rivals Parramatta.
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According to the Daily Telegraph, Taupau has been linked to the Eels because they have the salary cap space to make a late-season signing and are looking to add some firepower to their pack after giving Nathan Brown permission to look elsewhere.
The move would also improve his chances of making the finals, as the Sea Eagles have dropped to ninth after their loss on Thursday.
He would also be useful to Parramatta, who will lose forwards such as Isaiah Papalii and Reed Mahoney at the end of the season.
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The 32-year-old was not one of the seven players who refused to play in the crucial game because the team’s rainbow pride jersey violated their religious and cultural beliefs.
In fact, he never objected to the team’s inclusive uniform, but he appears to be on his way out of Brookvale after seven years with the club.
Source: Daily Mail