Darren Lockyer, a revered figure in Brisbane Broncos history, has urged players to embrace the new regime under coach Michael Maguire. This comes amid speculation that veteran forward Marty Taupau may face disciplinary action after he “liked” a social media post from former NRL player Elijah Taylor, which was critical of Maguire’s coaching style.
Maguire, who achieved significant success with South Sydney, including securing an NRL premiership in 2014 and leading New Zealand to a remarkable 30-0 win over Australia in the 2023 Pacific Championships, is known for his intense training methods. Reports suggest that his demanding pre-season left Taupau physically exhausted. The Broncos’ management expressed frustration over Taupau’s social media activity, indicating a potential fallout.
Lockyer addressed the situation, stating that Maguire has a robust approach to training, which reflects the hard work that led to premiership wins for clubs like Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers. He emphasised the necessity of sacrifice to achieve success within the team, pointing out that Maguire’s rigorous style is aimed at fostering a culture of resilience.
The tensions within the team have been exacerbated by a disappointing performance against the Dragons, resulting in a 30-26 loss that left Brisbane in ninth place on the NRL ladder. With only five wins from eleven matches, expectations for the Broncos to be strong premiership contenders have dwindled since the start of the season.
In response to the criticism of the team, Taupau shared a motivating post on Instagram, which prompted a comment from North Queensland’s Jason Taumalolo, hinting at ongoing internal discussions within the Broncos. Lockyer noted the need for immediate improvements, especially defensively, as conceding 30 points in a game is deemed unacceptable. He remains optimistic about the team’s ability to contend for the title if they can achieve greater consistency.
With a bye week ahead, Lockyer and the club are hoping to regroup and reassess their approach, aiming to rekindle their potential as a top-four team. As the season progresses, the Broncos are encouraged to navigate the challenges ahead thoughtfully while adhering to Maguire’s demanding standards.