"Kapow" by name, not by nature: Taupau's new approach

Studying a business degree has prompted Martin Taupau to consider trademarking his “Marty Kapow” nickname but on the field the Kiwis forward has been taking steps to distance himself from the actions associated with it.

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“At the end of the day we are there to play rugby league, not have a boxing match, so when there is some push and shove on the field I just start laughing now and say, ‘come on guys, lets break it up’,” Taupau said.

After incurring his fourth judiciary charge in less than two years for a shoulder charge on Parramatta prop Suaia Matagi in Manly’s opening match of this season, Taupau has focused on improving his discipline while maintaining the aggression that has made him one of the NRL’s best front rowers.

“You get to a point where being angry all the time means you have to exert a lot of energy and it drains you,” said Taupau, who spent time last Thursday with New Zealand’s reigning Super Cars champion Shane Van Gisbergen at Sydney Motorsport Park.

“When you are controlled and calm you have clarity and you can do anything. You know you can go above and beyond. That is pretty much my approach at the moment and I feel like I have done really well.”

Taupau’s changed attitude has coincided with him beginning a bachelor of business course at Sydney’s University of Technology as he looks to prepare himself for life after football.

The 27-year-old’s interest in studying business was inspired by the relationships he has developed with sponsors and corporate backers after earning cult hero status for the dramatic impact he often had in matches for Canterbury, Wests Tigers, Manly and New Zealand.

His no-holds barred playing style earned him the nickname “Marty Kapow” and Taupau uses the moniker for his social media accounts but is now considering ways to capitalise on it.

“Everyone calls me ‘Marty Kapow’ and I have run with, but I have had the opportunity to network with a whole range of business people and some of them have said to me that I should make something of the ‘Kapow’ name,” he said.

“It is something I should do and me and my partner have been brainstorming ideas. You never know you might end up buying ‘Marty Kapow’ apparel or who knows what.

“I have been fortunate. I was just this player who was coming through the ranks with everyone else and then I got projected up to this sort of superstar status, and along with that came the opportunity to network with corporates and business people and I love it.

“I don’t want to be a one-trick pony, I am going to keep up my studies so I can grow and become more than just a footballer.”

Born and bred in Auckland, Taupau grew up playing cricket, volleyball and rugby union before moving to Sydney, where he was introduced to league.

After captaining the Junior Kiwis in 2010, he played the first of his 16 Tests for New Zealand in 2014 and is looking forward to the Rugby League World Cup at the end of the season.

“Growing up as a young Kiwi boy, I was never the best footy player but when you progress through the grades and see the likes of Ruben Wiki representing their country you aspire to be like those people,” Taupau said.

“Every time I get the opportunity to put the black and white jersey on I get those memories of why I wanted to do this, how I wanted to do this and I get energy from it.

“When we do the haka we are gaining every bit of energy from our ancestors, our family and friends, our fellow countrymen so it is always a very proud moment to represent New Zealand.”

Despite disappointing performances at last year’s Four Nations and the ANZAC Test against Australia in May, Taupau believes the Kiwis can perform well at the World Cup under the coaching of David Kidwell.

“I have a lot of respect for David Kidwell as a coach, and also as a person,” he said. “I know Kiddy from when we were at the Tigers together and so we have a connection and I feel like he has been doing a good job.

“I think one of the main factors for us has been injuries and because of that we haven’t had the opportunity to play the same team over and over again whereas the Kangaroos have had players who play every single game together and they also get the opportunity to play Origin as well.”

The Kiwis play all of their pool matches in New Zealand but face a hard draw against Samoa, Tonga and Scotland, who snatched a draw with them in last year’s Four Nations.

Taupau said each of New Zealand’s opponents would be tough but he believed the opportunity to play at home for the first time since the 2014 Four Nations would lift the Kiwis.

“It will be a really good way to engage with all of our fans around the country so that is something I am looking forward to if I get picked,” he said.

“Samoa and Tonga, they definitely put everything on the line and we have got Scotland as well so every game is going to be tough for us.

“We are all mates off the field but the minute you step on that pitch it is like we don’t know each other, no one is going to hold back and we will literally do anything to come away with the victory.”

By Brad Walter | @BradWalterSport
Chief Correspondent, RLWC2017