Sam Thaiday

Thaiday joins new-look Maroons coaching staff

With a nod to the future, Walters has added some exciting young guns to the Emerging Origin squad for the first time, including Jake Clifford, David Fifita, Phillip Sami and AJ Brimson. 

The weekend will mark the first opportunity for Walters and newly-appointed Maroons assistants Justin Hodges and Johnathan Thurston to work together alongside Queensland’s next generation.

Walters announced the Maroons’ new coaching and support team in November last year as part of a “fresh approach” ahead of the 2019 Holden State of Origin series.

Goroka in a frenzy

The retired Brisbane Broncos veteran arrived in the country on Tuesday for the inaugural Super 8’s competition, which will see youths from Eastern Highlands’ rural districts get the opportunity to showcase their footy skills.

He is attending the Eastern Highlands Super 8 Rugby League Tournament, which was launched on Wednesday, by the Australian and Queensland forward, alongside Sports Vice-Minister Wesley Raminai.

The tournament is an initiative of Kainantu MP and Minister for Mining, Johnson Tuke.

Thaiday in PNG to support Super 8's

The Queensland Origin Player arrived today and will travel to Goroka tomorrow.

The Eastern Highlands Super 8 Rugby League Tournament is an initiative of Kainantu MP and Minister for Mining, Johnson Tuke.

Thaiday will officiate at the launching of the Super 8’s competition.

The Brisbane Broncos veteran said: “I just want to hopefully give them a few words of advice about education, about being healthy, about being good people within the community, but also enjoying sport, I think that’s a huge factor,” said Thaiday.

“I think it’s a fantastic program.”

Thaiday hits back at contract talk

 Reports emerged this week that Broncos coach Wayne Bennett would not be renewing Thaiday's contract at the end of next year, but Thaiday insisted his current contract was always going to be his last after re-signing with the club in 2015. 

Thaiday will be 33 years old at the end of the 2018 NRL season and it will mark 16 years in the top grade and possibly over 300 NRL matches. 

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and Thaiday recognized it might be time to move on from the game when his contract expires. 

Thaiday charged with contrary conduct

Thaiday was charged with grade one contrary conduct for an incident involving Storm prop Jesse Bromwich in the 65th minute.

This charge carries a base fine of $1,500 however Thaiday has two non-similar prior offences in the past two years, increasing the fine by 40 per cent, up to $2,100.

Thaiday ready to play after horror injury

The veteran Brisbane forward was poleaxed in a tackle during Australia's Four Nations win over England in London in November. The injury required immediate surgery before he could be given the all-clear to fly home.  

Thaiday to skip flash of Nines for fitness

Even as the words came out of his mouth Thaiday recognised the irony in what he was saying but having only returned to pre-season training last Wednesday after a 2016 in which he played 30 games, the 31-year-old is conscious of what his body will endure in 2017.

Thaiday's Four Nations campaign looks done

Australia claimed the match 38-16 at the London Stadium, however Thaiday was forced from the field following a heavy collision with England forward James Graham. 

The pair clashed heads, with the Australian coming off second best, and was taken to hospital for scans on the injury. 

“Unfortunately it will probably put [Thaiday] out of the game next week,” Australian coach Mal Meninga said post-match. 

“I think it was accidental.” 

Kangaroos playmaker Cooper Cronk echoed those sentiments after the comprehensive victory. 

Broncos ambush Storm in Melbourne

Looking to atone for a crushing 48-6 loss at the hands of the Storm in round 17, the Broncos produced some of their best football of the season on Friday night to secure their fourth-straight win, moving level with the Cowboys and Bulldogs in fourth spot on the table.

Two first-half tries to centre Tom Opacic set the tone for Brisbane, who dominated possession in the opening term and withheld a determined Storm outfit after the break to ensure the race for the top four goes down to the wire.