League: Taupau stays mum on Manly talk

Martin Taupau is rumoured to be joining the Manly Sea Eagles. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwis forward Martin Taupau had nothing to say about his proposed move to the Sea Eagles - but was much more up front on the Kiwis failings against England in the first test.

Taupau's NRL future has been the subject of much conjecture in the last few months, and a move to Brookvale seemed imminent following an accidental leak of a new three year Manly contract for the back rower.

But in the wake of the Kiwis 26-12 loss to England in the first test on Monday morning (NZT), Taupau didn't want to discuss his club situation.

"I've got no comment on that," said the 25-year-old when asked about the Manly rumours, but he was much more expansive on the Kiwis performance. He admitted that England had out-enthused his side, with the visitors unable to match the intensity provided by the home team.

"[Intensity] - that's what we spoke about before the game, going out there with plenty of energy," said Taupau. "But I guess they trumped us and in the second half we lost our way a bit and [we were] loose in the middle...that's where we've got to start."

Like coach Stephen Kearney, Taupau lamented the Kiwis' inability to make the most of their early dominance, allowing England back into the match before the second half became one way traffic.

"Momentum could have swung either way and we didn't make the most of our opportunities...[we] pushed passes."

And for probably the first time in the last 12 months, the Kiwis bench were upstaged by their opposite numbers. The New Zealand interchange men have been the difference in recent tests - especially in the Four Nations final last year - but the English reserves made the bigger impact on Monday morning (NZT).

Tom Burgess was immense, James Roby was dynamic in tandem with Josh Hodgson and Brett Ferres scooped the man of the match award with two barging tries.

It was a one-two punch for the Kiwis, who have become used to dominating their opposition up front over the last 12 months.

"We're really disappointed and there are certainly a lot of things we need to improve on," said Taupau. "I guess it's back to the drawing board for us and seeing what things we need to improve. The desire to win the next game is there, so that's why we have to go back and work really hard."

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