'Unreal for my little family' - Warriors prop loving life in Glasgow as veteran lands one year extension
The former Melbourne Rebels and Queensland Reds tighthead has put pen to paper on a new contract at Scotstoun
Glasgow Warriors prop Sam Talakai has described life in Scotland as ‘unreal’ after putting pen to paper on a one year contract extension at Scotstoun.
The 34-year old, capped once by Australia, joined Franco Smith’s side ahead of the 2024/25 season and has since made 37 appearances. He recently scored his first Warriors try in last Friday’s 31-10 triumph over Benetton and has become a popular figure with supporters and teammates.
Prior to his arrival in Europe he was a seasoned campaigner in Super Rugby with the Rebels and the Reds and also had a four year spell with Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath. His time in Japan, where his children were born, was his first experience living and working outside of his homeland and the Sydney native is now loving every part of Glasgow life.
“It’ll be tough to bring them back to the sun” - Talakai loving family life in Glasgow as children take to Scottish situation
He said: “It is very different to back home. A few obvious things but you just take it in your stride. People at the club here and then obviously where I stay, my little community there, it's been unreal for my little family to settle in here in Glasgow.
“I've done four seasons in Japan, my kids were actually born in Tokyo so they’re well-travelled. This is our first time living in Europe and it has its pros and cons but I’m looking forward to seeing what the new year brings.”
On the biggest cultural changes living in Scotland compared to Australia and Japan, he added: “Probably just trying to get used to the accent and all that. My little kids have actually taken to it. They’ve got a few words and that Scottish twang in them at the moment.
“It's only been 18 or so months, but I'll just say probably just getting used to how the slang and everyone talks around here. They're at school here in primary one and enjoying it. They're settled into the Scottish lifestyle and actually really like the cold! So it'll be tough, I think,to bring them back into the sun.”
Warriors prop making most of experience with similarities between URC and Super Rugby
Clearly it’s not just life off the pitch that the Aussie prop has been enjoying with Warriors sitting top of the URC and hosting the Bulls in their home Champions Cup round of 16 clash this weekend. Talakai has felt a lot of similarities between the northern hemisphere game and Super Rugby and has been making the most of his vast experience.
He said: “It’s a very similar style of play to Super Rugby. It's been quite easy to fit in. But it’s more me just trying to complement the playing group in my role that I have here at Glasgow, trying to work with new combinations, all those types of things.
“With the experience that I bring I’ve just been trying to get that on track and as effective and efficient as possible to help with what we can produce on the weekend. I think as experienced heads in the squad, you have to bring everyone up. And not only just the props, the tight five as well.”
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