Taupau has signed a one-year extension with the Sea Eagles, ensuring the New Zealand international remains at Brookvale until the end of 2020. It has taken both parties just one season to come to the realisation it is a good fit, with the extension negotiated before Taupau flew to Perth for Saturday's Test against Australia.

"I am very happy with this extension of my contract. I thoroughly enjoyed my first season with the Sea Eagles this year," Taupau said.

"There is a lot to like about the direction the team is heading in. Trent Barrett is a wonderful coach and I look forward to further developing my game under him.

"The Sea Eagles are also making great progress off the field and I am glad to be part of their plans."

News of Taupau's re-signing has been released in a more conventional manner than that of his signing. Taupau's switch from Wests Tigers to Manly was revealed by James Kelly Nestruck, a Canadian theatre critic who received details of the deal in his inbox by mistake. The message was intended for former Sea Eagles CEO Joe Kelly, but resulted in the biggest rugby league scoop ever to come out of North America.

Taupau has been one of the positives in a disappointing Manly season in which they again missed the play-offs. The 26-year-old played 20 games in his first season on the northern beaches, making 58 tackle breaks and averaging 142 metres a game.

"Martin Taupau is one of the best forwards in the world and he will only get better," Sea Eagles head of football Bob Fulton said.

"We are delighted to have him for another four years and his contract now has him in line in terms of length with the Trbojevic brothers, Jake and Tom, who are also signed until the end of 2020.

"They, along with halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, will form the basis of a very strong team long-term for the club."

Barrett said the contract extension for Taupau was a major coup for the Sea Eagles.

"Marty loves the club and wanted to commit for long-term because he likes the direction we are going," Barrett said.

"He is a tremendous competitor, great trainer and a player willing to do the things to make himself better. He will be a key player for Manly in the years ahead."

In other signing news, Parramatta confirmed the signing of Gold Coast utility Josh Hoffman on a three-year deal. Hoffman has made 158 NRL appearances for the Titans and Broncos, plus five Tests for New Zealand.

"Josh brings tremendous NRL experience and can play anywhere from 1 to 6 which ensures our squad will have strong competition across multiple positions," said Eels coach Brad Arthur.

"He has been a strong and consistent performer for the Titans over the past couple of years and he will provide a strong contribution to the club from 2017 and beyond."

Hoffman joins Nathan Brown, George Jennings and Siosaia Vave as new signings for the Eels in 2017. This announcement also follows the re-signings of Corey Norman, Danny Wicks, Kenny Edwards, Isaac De Gois, Brad Takairangi and Manu Ma'u.