Introduction
Sam Tagataese pronounced () (born 8 December 1986) is a Samoan international rugby league footballer who plays as a prop forward for the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL. Tagataese was part of the Cronulla team that won their maiden premiership title in the 2016 season.
Background
He was born in Wellington, New Zealand.
Tagataese attended St. Bernard's College, Lower Hutt, playing first fifteen Rugby, and received Sportsman of the year in 2003.
Playing career
He left Wellington to play with Melbourne Storm feeder Brisbane Norths, where he was selected for the Queensland under 19's and Junior Kiwis squad in 2004.
Tagataese made his first Grade NRL debut for the Melbourne Storm on Saturday, 7 April 2007, against the Newcastle Knights At Energy Australia Stadium.
On 11 June 2011, Tagataese announced he was leaving the Gold Coast Titans immediately to join the Cronulla Sharks on a three-year contract.
In 2016, Tagataese was part of the Cronulla side which won their first ever premiership defeating Melbourne in the grand final 14-12.
On 13 December 2017, Brisbane Broncos announced they had signed Tagataese on a one year deal
Representative career
Tagataese is of Samoan heritage, and was named in the Samoa training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
In 2009 he was named as part of the Samoan side for the Pacific Cup.
In 2013, Sam made his international début, he played for Samoa in the Pacific Rugby League International against fierce pacific rivals Tonga.
In May 2014, Sam played for Samoa in the 2014 Pacific Rugby League International. Tagataese made headlines in the match after being sent off for a head-butt on Fijian player Kane Evans.
On 8 September 2014, Tagataese was selected for the Samoa Four Nations train-on squad. On 7 October 2014, Tagataese was selected in the Samoa national rugby league team final 24 man squad for the 2014 Four Nations series.
On 7 May 2016, Tagataese traveled down from Hull to Sydney to captain Samoa in the 2016 Polynesian Cup against Tonga, playing off the interchange bench in the 18-6 win at Parramatta Stadium.