Martin Taupau frustrated after being stranded in Denver

Correspondent

New Zealand players have finally left Denver after a lightning strike on a control tower caused their flight to be cancelled but Martin Taupau has been left angered.

Taupau was the last New Zealand player to leave Denver and flew to San Francisco on Monday, along with five members of the Kiwis team staff.

The group spent over 11 hours at Denver International Airport after their rescheduled flight was delayed due to mechanical problems with the plane.

They are not due to arrive in San Francisco until after their connecting flight to Sydney departs.

New Zealand players were booked on different flights with different airlines to get the players home as soon as possible after they were forced to spend an extra night in the US following their Test defeat to England.

Tauapu is now on a flight home but may not arrive until Thursday.

The blockbusting forward has been named in Manly Sea Eagles’ squad to face Penrith Panthers on Saturday.