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Sam Thaiday

Personal information
Full name	Samuel Arthur Thaiday
Born	(1985-06-12) 12 June 1985 (age 40) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Height	181 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	112 kg (17 st 9 lb)
Position	Second-row, Prop
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2003–18 Brisbane Broncos 304 40 1 0 162 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2006–17 Queensland 29 3 0 0 12 2006–17 Australia 32 2 0 0 8 2007–13 Prime Minister's XIII 2 0 0 0 0 2010–16 Indigenous All Stars 3 0 0 0 0
Education	Kirwan State High School
Alma mater	St Leo's College
Relatives	Milton Thaiday (cousin)

Samuel Arthur Thaiday (born 12 June 1985) is a former professional rugby league player from Australia. He played his entire career for the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League (NRL). Sam was also a captain for the Broncos from 2012 to 2013.

He represented both the Australian national team and the Queensland State of Origin team. Sam usually played as a second-rower or prop. He won the 2006 premiership with the Broncos. In 2008, he was named one of only three active players in the Indigenous Australian rugby league team of the century. Sam Thaiday retired from the NRL at the end of the 2018 season.

Early Life and Background

Sam Thaiday was born in Sydney, New South Wales. When he was four years old, his family moved to Townsville, Queensland. Sam has Torres Strait Islander heritage.

He started playing junior rugby league for the Brothers club in Townsville. He also went to Kirwan State High School. Sam's cousin, Milton Thaiday, also became a professional NRL player. Sam's father, Billy, was born on Yam Island in the Torres Strait. His mother, Julie, grew up in rural Western Australia. Both of his parents served in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

Professional Playing Career

Starting Out (2003-2005)

The Brisbane Broncos signed Sam Thaiday in 2002. Coach Wayne Bennett noticed him during an under-17s game. Sam made his first professional appearance in the National Rugby League on 11 July 2003. He was 18 years old at the time. This was his only game in the 2003 NRL season.

He played 8 games in 2004 and 14 games in 2005. Sam scored his first professional try in the last game of the 2005 season.

Premiership Success and International Debut (2006-2007)

In 2006, Sam's strong performance earned him a spot on the Queensland team. He played in all three games of the 2006 State of Origin series, which Queensland won. Later that year, the Broncos won the 2006 NRL Grand Final. Sam also made his international debut for the Australian national team in 2006.

In 2007, the Broncos played in the 2007 World Club Challenge in England. Sam played from the bench in their loss. He missed the 2007 State of Origin series due to an eye injury. Sam played his 50th first-grade game in 2007.

Finding His Form (2008-2009)

Sam Thaiday returned to great form in the 2008 NRL season. He won "man of the match" awards in two games in a row. This helped him earn a starting spot in the 2008 State of Origin series. He scored 8 tries in 2008, which was his highest in a single season.

Sam Thaiday playing against the Knights in 2008

In April 2009, Sam was part of the Queensland squad for the 2009 State of Origin series. He was named "man of the match" in the second game of the series.

Thaiday training with Queensland in 2009

At the end of 2009, Sam played for Australia in the 2009 Four Nations tournament in Europe. This was his first time representing Australia since 2006.

Thaiday playing for the Broncos in 2009

Key Player and Captaincy (2010-2013)

In 2010, Sam was selected to play for Australia in the 2010 ANZAC Test. He was named "man of the match" in their win against New Zealand. Sam scored his first Origin try in Game 1 of the 2010 State of Origin series. Queensland won the series 3–0. He also played in the first ever All-Stars match for the Indigenous All Stars.

In 2011, it was announced that Sam Thaiday would become the Broncos' captain for the next season. He took over from the retiring Darren Lockyer. Sam played in all three State of Origin matches again. After the 2011 NRL season, he played for the Australian national team in the 2011 Four Nations tournament. He scored his first international try in the final against England. In November 2011, Sam was named "second-row forward of the year" at the annual RLIF Awards.

As captain in 2012, Sam played for Australia in the 2012 ANZAC Test. He also played in Game 1 of the 2012 State of Origin series. In 2013, Sam continued to play for Australia in the 2013 ANZAC Test. He played in all three games of the 2013 State of Origin series, where Queensland won their eighth series in a row. He also played a big part in Australia's success at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

Later Career and Retirement (2014-2018)

In 2014, Sam stepped down as captain of the Broncos. He missed some games due to injury. Queensland lost the State of Origin series for the first time since 2005.

In 2015, Sam returned to his best form under coach Wayne Bennett. He played in his second Grand Final, where the Broncos lost a very close game to the Cowboys. He played in all 3 games of Queensland's winning Origin campaign.

In 2016, Sam was selected for Queensland in the 2016 State of Origin series. He continued to play in all three Origin games. He also played for Australia in the 2016 Four Nations tournament.

Thaiday warming up for the Kangaroos in London in 2016

An injured Thaiday on international duty at Anfield in 2016

In 2017, Sam spent more time coming off the bench for the Broncos. He was dropped from the Queensland State of Origin team after Game 1, which ended his Origin career. His Australian career also ended after the ANZAC Test.

Retirement Announcement

On 6 July 2018, Sam Thaiday announced he would retire from rugby league. He made the announcement in a funny way, dressing up as an elderly man outside a retirement home. He said he wanted to do things his own way.

In the 2018 NRL season, Sam played his 300th first-grade game. His last regular-season match was played in front of a huge crowd at Suncorp Stadium. The Broncos lost their final game, which ended Sam's long career.

Sam Thaiday is seen as a great NRL player. He played 304 matches, all for the Brisbane Broncos. He scored 40 tries in his career. He played 29 times for Queensland, helping them win 10 Origin titles. He represented Australia 34 times, winning a Tri-Nations, 3 Four Nations, and a World Cup title.

Life After Rugby League

Since 2017, Sam Thaiday has been an ambassador for the Starlight Foundation. This charity helps seriously ill children. In 2023, he became an ambassador for a Christmas red meat campaign for Beef and Livestock Australia.

In January 2025, it was announced that Sam Thaiday joined the cast of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (Australian TV series). In February 2025, Sam Thaiday was announced as the winner of the 2025 season of I'm a Celeb.

Career Statistics

Season	Team	Appearances	Tries	Goals	Goal-kicking Percentage	Field Goals	Points
2003 NRL Season	Brisbane Broncos	1	-	-	-	-	-
2004 NRL Season		8	-	-	-	-	-
2005 NRL Season		14	1	-	-	-	4
2006 NRL Season		20	2	-	-	-	8
2007 NRL Season		16	1	1/2	50%	-	6
2008 NRL Season		22	8	-	-	-	32
2009 NRL Season		23	3	-	-	-	12
2010 NRL Season		22	2	-	-	-	8
2011 NRL Season		21	3	-	-	-	12
2012 NRL Season		21	4	-	-	-	16
2013 NRL Season		21	2	-	-	-	8
2014 NRL Season		19	4	-	-	-	16
2015 NRL Season		23	2	-	-	-	8
2016 NRL Season		22	4	-	-	-	16
2017 NRL Season		26	3	-	-	-	12
2018 NRL Season		25	1	-	-	-	4
	Totals	304	40	1			162

Awards and Recognition

• Dally M Second Rower of the Year: 2010, 2011
• Ron McAuliffe Medal: 2010
• Ken Stephen Memorial Award: 2011
• RLIF Second Rower of the Year: 2011