‘You f***ing liked it’: The moment ex-Bronco triggered Madge’s fury — and ended his own career

“Marty, you f…ing liked it.”

That was how Martin Taupau learned he had inadvertently triggered the end of his NRL career.

What Taupau thought was just another harmless double-tap on a former teammate’s social media feed turned out to be a scathing, three-part critique of Brisbane Broncos coach Michael Maguire’s intense methods.

The veteran prop never even watched the video, but the fallout was immediate and final.

Taupau can lay claim to being the first NRL player to be sacked for liking an Instagram post.

In our exclusive new series, SACKED, Code Sports reveals the stories behind some of the most controversial exits in NRL history. To watch or listen to the first episode go to Code Sports where Martin Tapau takes you inside his dumping as an NRL player when the Brisbane Broncos sacked him over an Instagram post … READ, WATCH, LISTEN

On May 15, 2025, Taupau’s day started like any other. His morning routine included journalling and scrolling through social media over a cup of coffee.

“I wake up, I write the things that I need to execute today, the things that I was grateful for, make my morning coffee, grab my phone, sip my coffee and just scroll,” Taupau said.

One of the posts he scrolled past was from his friend and former New Zealand international teammate Elijah Taylor, who shares videos on Instagram about rugby league via his “Footy Hacks” account.

Without watching it, he said, Taupau liked the post and kept scrolling.

“I didn’t watch it,” Taupau said. “F… I should have.”

Shortly after, Taupau, who lived just 200 metres from Broncos HQ, hopped on his scooter and headed to training, unaware his casual double-tap had ignited a media storm.

“I ride down, walk through into the sheds, and the boys go, ‘Oh, did you see that video?’” Taupau said.

“I was like, ‘What video are you talking about?’.

“And Walshy (Reece Walsh), looks at me and goes, “Marty, you f…ing liked it’.”

Taupau took out his phone and immediately unliked the post, though he still hadn’t watched the three-part video in full, and tried to put it out of his mind as he went out to train.

After he came off the field following the training session, Taupau was summoned to a meeting with CEO Dave Donaghy and general manager of football Troy Thomson for an explanation.

He apologised, but admitted he still hadn’t watched Taylor’s post.

It was then that they played the video.

Taylor, who had played under Maguire at the Wests Tigers, critiqued his intensity.

“I’ve never seen a coach ride the game so hard,” Taylor said.

In our exclusive new series, SACKED, Code Sports reveals the stories behind some of the most controversial exits in NRL history. To watch or listen to the first episode go to Code Sports where Martin Tapau takes you inside his dumping as an NRL player when the Brisbane Broncos sacked him over an Instagram post … READ, WATCH, LISTEN

After a win, the world’s a better place. After a loss, you’re off to the funeral, big time. And someone’s going to get cooked in that video session.

“Those video sessions are the most intense I’ve ever been in; squeezed up, seatbelt, ass cheeks are tight.

“When he’s angry, the veins are out, the neck starts snapping and the tongue comes out.”

Taylor also went in hard on what he described as Maguire’s “crazy” training methods and his time efficiency, accusing him of having “a meeting for a meeting for a meeting”.

“If Madge can clean that up I’m sure he can turn that Broncos season around,” Taylor said.

Taupau apologised to Donaghy and Thomson for his social media mistake, and later approached Maguire to do the same, assuring him it was unintentional and without malice.

But his plea fell on deaf ears and Taupau’s contract was terminated, ending his 16-year career in the NRL.