# Sam Tagataese > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sam_Tagataese > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sam_Tagataese.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Tagataese > Source revision: 1350154783 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Samoa international rugby league footballer}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=August 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox rugby league biography |name = Sam Tagataese |fullname = Samuel Tagataese |image = Sam Tagatese in July 2012.jpg |caption = |position = {{rlp|PR|SR|CE}} |birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1986|12|8}} |birth_place = [Wellington, New Zealand](/source/Wellington%2C_New_Zealand) |height = {{convert|193|cm|ftin|abbr=on}} |weight = {{convert|108|kg|stlb|abbr=on}} |club1 = [Melbourne Storm](/source/Melbourne_Storm) |year1start = 2007 |year1end = 08 |appearances1 = 19 |tries1 = 2 |goals1 = 0 |fieldgoals1 = 0 |points1 = 8 |club2 = {{nowrap|[Gold Coast Titans](/source/Gold_Coast_Titans)}} |year2start = 2009 |year2end = 11 |appearances2 = 33 |tries2 = 4 |goals2 = 0 |fieldgoals2 = 0 |points2 = 16 |club3 = [Cronulla Sharks](/source/Cronulla_Sharks) |year3start = 2011 |year3end = 17 |appearances3 = 118 |tries3 = 9 |goals3 = 0 |fieldgoals3 = 0 |points3 = 36 |club4 = [Brisbane Broncos](/source/Brisbane_Broncos) |year4start = 2018 |year4end = |appearances4 = 4 |tries4 = 0 |goals4 = 0 |fieldgoals4 = 0 |points4 = 0 |teamA = [Samoa](/source/Samoa_national_rugby_league_team) |yearAstart = 2009 |yearAend = 17 |appearancesA = 6 |triesA = 0 |goalsA = 0 |fieldgoalsA = 0 |pointsA = 0 |retired = |source = {{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/sam-tagataese/summary.html|title=Sam Tagataese - Career Stats & Summary|publisher=Rugby League Project|date=1986-12-08|access-date=2016-10-03}} |updated = 14 March 2021 }} '''Sam Tagataese''' pronounced ({{IPAc-en|t|eɪ|g|ə|t|iː|z|i}}) (born 8 December 1986) is a [Samoa](/source/Samoa_national_rugby_league_team) international [rugby league](/source/rugby_league) footballer who last played as a {{rlp|pr}} forward for the [Brisbane Broncos](/source/Brisbane_Broncos) in the [NRL](/source/NRL). He played for the [Melbourne Storm](/source/Melbourne_Storm), [Gold Coast Titans](/source/Gold_Coast_Titans) and the [Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks](/source/Cronulla-Sutherland_Sharks) in the [National Rugby League](/source/National_Rugby_League). Tagataese was part of the Cronulla team that won their maiden premiership title in the 2016 season. ==Early life== Born in [Wellington, New Zealand](/source/Wellington%2C_New_Zealand). Tagataese attended [St. Bernard's College, Lower Hutt](/source/St._Bernard's_College%2C_Lower_Hutt), playing first fifteen Rugby, and received Sportsman of the year in 2003. He left [Wellington](/source/Wellington%2C_New_Zealand) to play with [Melbourne Storm](/source/Melbourne_Storm) feeder [Brisbane Norths](/source/Norths_Devils). He was educated at [Wavell State High School](/source/Wavell_State_High_School) was selected for the Queensland under 19's and [2004 Junior Kiwis](/source/Junior_Kiwis) squad. ==Playing career== Tagataese made his [NRL debut](/source/2007_NRL_season) for the [Melbourne Storm](/source/Melbourne_Storm) on 7 April 2007, against the [Newcastle Knights](/source/Newcastle_Knights) at [Energy Australia Stadium](/source/Energy_Australia_Stadium). He made 11 appearances for Melbourne in his debut year. In the [2008 NRL season](/source/2008_NRL_season), Tagatese played 6 games for Melbourne before he joined the [Gold Coast](/source/Gold_Coast_Titans). Tagatese played in the Gold Coast's first ever finals campaign in the [2009 NRL season](/source/2009_NRL_season). On 11 June 2011, Tagataese announced he was leaving the [Gold Coast Titans](/source/Gold_Coast_Titans) immediately to join the [Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks](/source/Cronulla-Sutherland_Sharks) on a three-year contract. Tagataese managed eight appearances for the Gold Coast in the [2011 NRL season](/source/2011_NRL_season) as the club finished last and claimed the wooden spoon.{{cite news|title=Big hitting Gold Coast forward Sam Tagataese granted early release to join Cronulla Sharks|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/big-hitting-gold-coast-forward-sam-tagataese-granted-early-release-to-join-cronulla-sharks/story-e6frf3ou-1226073738040|access-date=14 June 2011|newspaper=Fox Sports}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/parramatta-eels-defeat-the-gold-coast-titans-to-avoid-wooden-spoon-for-2011/news-story/fc87216a6a23a4b8d0eefd6174b60c47/|title=Parramatta Eels defeat the Gold Coast Titans to avoid wooden spoon for 2011|website=Daily Telegraph}} In the [2014 NRL season](/source/2014_NRL_season), Tagataese played 18 games as Cronulla-Sutherland endured a horror year on and off the field with the club finishing last on the table due to a high injury toll and the [Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks supplements saga](/source/Cronulla-Sutherland_Sharks_supplements_saga).{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/aug/24/sharks-set-for-wooden-spoon-after-defeat-to-raiders/|title=Sharks set for wooden spoon after defeat to Raiders|website=The Guardian|date=24 August 2014 }} In the [2015 NRL season](/source/2015_NRL_season), Cronulla turned their form around on the field to reach the finals. Tagataese played in the club's 39–0 defeat by [North Queensland](/source/North_Queensland_Cowboys) in the elimination final. In 2016, Tagataese was part of the Cronulla side which won their first ever premiership defeating Melbourne 14–12 in the [2016 NRL Grand Final](/source/2016_NRL_Grand_Final) at [ANZ Stadium](/source/ANZ_Stadium).{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2016/10/02/2016-grand-final-sharks-player-ratings/|title=2016 grand final sharks player ratings|website=www.nrl.com|date=2 October 2016 }} On 13 December 2017, [Brisbane Broncos](/source/Brisbane_Broncos) announced they had signed Tagataese on a one-year deal.{{cite web |url= https://www.broncos.com.au/news/2017/12/13/big-sam-joins-the-broncos/ |title= Big Sam Joins The Broncos |date= 12 December 2017 |publisher= broncos.com.au |access-date= 13 December 2017}}"For me it is about tapping into something I don't think I have tapped into before- and that is getting the best out of myself," he said. "I am going to give it my all and I hope to make it into the 17 during the year."{{Cite web|url=https://www.broncos.com.au/news/2018/02/15/tagataese-out-to-make-a-statement/|title=Tagataese Out To Make A Statement|date=2018-02-15|website=Brisbane Broncos|language=en|access-date=2019-12-28}} In 2019, he announced his retirement, playing his final game for the [Souths Logan Magpies](/source/Souths_Logan_Magpies) of the [Queensland Cup](/source/Queensland_Cup). He scored ten tries for the Magpies during his stint in the Queensland Cup. ==Representative career== Tagataese is of [Samoan](/source/Samoans) heritage,{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/nrl/story/0,21985,21383990-14823,00.html|title=Islander blood runs deep|publisher=Herald Sun|date=2007-03-15|access-date=2008-07-31| first=Dave| last=Donaghy}} and was named in the [Samoa training squad](/source/Samoa_national_rugby_league_team) for the [2008 Rugby League World Cup](/source/2008_Rugby_League_World_Cup).{{cite web|url=http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=16750|title=Samoa name World Cup Squad|publisher=League Unlimited|date=2008-08-05|access-date=2008-08-06|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717060051/http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=16750|archive-date=17 July 2011|df=dmy-all}} In 2009 he was named as part of the [Samoan](/source/Samoa_national_rugby_league_team) side for the [Pacific Cup](/source/2009_Pacific_Cup).[http://www.therhinos.co.uk/news/7999.php Poching names strong Samoan squad] ''therhinos.co.uk'', 6 October 2009 In 2013, Sam made his international début, he played for Samoa in the [Pacific Rugby League International](/source/Pacific_Rugby_League_International) against fierce pacific rivals [Tonga](/source/Tonga_national_rugby_league_team). In May 2014, Sam again played for [Samoa](/source/Samoa_national_rugby_league_team) in the Pacific Rugby League International. Tagataese made headlines in the match after being sent off for a head-butt on Fijian player [Kane Evans](/source/Kane_Evans). On 8 September 2014, Tagataese was selected for the [Samoa](/source/Samoa_national_rugby_league_team) Four Nations train-on squad.{{cite web|url=http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/samao-train-on-squad-announced-14837/|title=Samoa train on squad announced|publisher=Zero Tackle|date=2014-09-08|access-date=2016-10-03|archive-date=14 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014081012/http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/samao-train-on-squad-announced-14837/|url-status=dead}} On 7 October 2014, Tagataese was selected in the [Samoa national rugby league team](/source/Samoa_national_rugby_league_team) final 24 man squad for the 2014 Four Nations series.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/toa-samoa-name-four-nations-squad/tabid/10874/newsid/82434/default.aspx|title=Toa Samoa name Four Nations squad|website=NRL.com|date=7 October 2014 |access-date=2016-10-03}}{{cite web|url=http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/toa-samoa-name-four-nations-squad-15250/|title=Toa Samoa name Four Nations squad|publisher=Zero Tackle|date=2014-10-07|access-date=2016-10-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203031215/http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/toa-samoa-name-four-nations-squad-15250/|archive-date=3 February 2016|df=dmy-all}} On 7 May 2016, Tagataese traveled down from Hull to Sydney to captain [Samoa](/source/Samoa_national_rugby_league_team) in the 2016 [Polynesian Cup](/source/Polynesian_Cup) against [Tonga](/source/Tonga_national_rugby_league_team), playing off the interchange bench in the 18–6 win at [Parramatta Stadium](/source/Parramatta_Stadium).{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/samoa-holds-on-in-pulsating-pacific-test/tabid/10874/newsid/95681/default.aspx|title=Samoa holds on in pulsating Pacific Test|date=7 May 2016 |publisher=nrl.com|access-date=7 May 2016}} == Statistics == === NRL === {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Team !Games !Tries !Pts |- |2007 | rowspan="2" |{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [Melbourne Storm](/source/Melbourne_Storm) |12 |1 |4 |- |2008 |6 |1 |4 |- |2009 | rowspan="2" |{{leagueicon|Titans|16}} [Gold Coast Titans](/source/Gold_Coast_Titans) |9 |1 |4 |- |2010 |16 |2 |8 |- | rowspan="2" |2011 |{{leagueicon|Titans|16}} [Gold Coast Titans](/source/Gold_Coast_Titans) |8 |1 |4 |- |{{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} [Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks](/source/Cronulla-Sutherland_Sharks) |12 |1 |4 |- |2012 | rowspan="6" |{{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} [Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks](/source/Cronulla-Sutherland_Sharks) |13 |1 |4 |- |2013 |21 |2 |8 |- |2014 |18 |3 |12 |- |2015 |20 |2 |8 |- |2016 |21 | | |- |2017 |12 | | |- |2018 |{{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [Brisbane Broncos](/source/Brisbane_Broncos) |4 | | |- | |Totals |174 |15 |60 |} === Reserve grade === {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Team !Games !Tries !Goals !Pts |- |2019 |{{leagueicon|Souths Logan Magpies|30}} [Souths Logan Magpies](/source/Souths_Logan_Magpies) |22 |3 |1 |14 |- |2018 |{{leagueicon|Norths Devils|30}} [Norths Devils](/source/Norths_Devils) |18 |7 | |28 |- |2017 | rowspan="2" |{{leagueicon|Newtown|30}} [Newtown Jets](/source/Newtown_Jets) |11 |4 | |16 |- |2016 |4 | | | |- | |Totals |55 |14 |1 |58 |} source:{{Cite web |title=Sam Tagataese - Playing Career - RLP |url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/sam-tagataese/summary.html |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=www.rugbyleagueproject.org}} ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== *[https://www.broncos.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/brisbane-broncos/sam-tagataese/ Brisbane Broncos profile] *[http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/default.asp?sec=2&ssec=2&pid=34&prid=1&yr=2007 Melbourne Profile] *[http://www.goldcoast.com.au/gold-coast-titans-player-profiles.html#thompson Gold Coast Titans profile] *[http://www.rlwc2017.com/players?team=381#Sam-Tagataese 2017 RLWC profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030817/http://www.rlwc2017.com/players?team=381#Sam-Tagataese |date=1 December 2017 }} {{Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks squad - 2016 NRL premiers}} {{Samoa 2014 Rugby League Four Nations squad}} {{Samoa 2017 Rugby League World Cup squad}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Tagataese, Sam}} Category:1986 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century New Zealand sportsmen Category:Brisbane Broncos players Category:Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks players Category:Gold Coast Titans players Category:Melbourne Storm players Category:New Zealand people of Samoan descent Category:Sportspeople of Samoan descent Category:New Zealand rugby league players Category:People educated at St Bernard's College, Lower Hutt Category:People educated at Wavell State High School Category:Rugby league players from Wellington City Category:Rugby league props Category:Rugby league second-rows Category:Samoa national rugby league team players Category:Samoan rugby league players --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sam Tagataese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Tagataese) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Tagataese?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.