The81stMinute can reveal that reports Wests Tigers’ hulking forward Martin Taupau has signed with Manly-Warringah isn’t quite right and a move to the Canberra Raiders is still a possibility.

We understand Taupau has agreed verbally with the Sea Eagles but nothing has been signed with a source inside the playing squad at Wests saying Taupau could be headed to the nation’s capital.

It is believed that there hasn’t been a falling out between Taupau and anyone else at the club but more of a breakdown in communication, something Wests Tigers are becoming far too accustomed to. Taupau has rejected an extension of his deal with the joint venture and his management team began a push recently for him to be released immediately. They doesn’t look like happening but a move away from Concord is a done deal.

Taupau is currently living with team-mates in the inner west of Sydney and is one of the reasons the New Zealander wants out of the club.

“From what I hear he’s going,” the player told the81stminute.com.

“I wasn’t there at the time but someone from the club said something to him [Taupau] and didn’t make him happy.”

“Someone has said something and it’s pushed him.”

The club’s power play to oust captain Robbie Farah would also mean they have the cash to upgrade and extend players like Taupau but if Farah stays which looks more likely than ever, Taupau will most definitely be one of those players to exit.

It doesn’t look good for Taupau with the club recently backtracking and CEO Justin Pascoe admitting Farah’s form would be judged just liked everyone else’s.

“Robbie, like any other player, will be assessed on his merit and what’s in the best interest of the team at that particular time,” Pascoe told Sky Sports Radio recently.

“I’ve also got to stress that no player, including Robbie, is permanently prohibited from playing first grade at any stage just like no player is guaranteed of playing first grade.”

Canberra five-eight Blake Austin is a former team-mate of Taupau at the Tigers and has been assisting in the process for the Green Machine.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart is hell bent on making Canberra the most formidable pack in the game after losing David Shillington, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Dane Tilse, Brett White and Mark Nicholls in recent times.

Taupau is currently in the United Kingdom with the Kiwi squad who play Leeds Rhinos this weekend.

Meanwhile former Melbourne bookend Jeff Lima is expected to join the Raiders for pre-season in the next few weeks.