THE STORY OF US
THE RUGBY LEAGUE LEGEND AND HIS ‘BIGGEST FAN’ – HIS HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEART WIFE – ON THEIR LOVE JOURNEY
For 16 memorable years he entertained NRL fans around the nation. But the much-loved former Brisbane Broncos captain knows one thing for certain – he couldn’t have done it without the unwavering support of his wife, Rachel.
“Rachel’s someone I’ve been able to talk to about anything,” says Sam. “She’s been the most incredible sounding-board through everything.”
And that’s the way it’s always been for Rachel and Sam, both 33, who met on their Townsville high school basketball court back in 1998. “That was in the first week of Grade 8,” says Sam.
“I wasn’t as outgoing then as I am now – I was a little shy – but I always found it very easy to talk to Rachel. We did date briefly for two weeks, but she dumped me because she said I didn’t talk enough. She probably wishes I could go back to those days, as now she can’t shut me up!” he laughs.
While the eighth-graders’ first attempt at romance may have been short-lived, their bond proved unbreakable. “After school, we both went off and did our own thing,” says Sam.
“Rachel had the travel bug, whereas I was chasing my rugby league dream. But we stayed friends and I knew she was around for the right reasons.”
Adds Rachel: “Our friendship always provided us with humour and laughter. He still keeps me amused – what you see with Sam is exactly what you get.”
In 2010, Rachel, a qualified personal trainer, returned to Australia after a stint living overseas. “She needed somewhere to stay and I had a spare bedroom,” says Sam. “She and her younger brother ended up moving into my house and sleeping on two single beds.”
Soon after, the couple tentatively headed out on a date. “Rachel said that, even though we’d known each other for so long, she still wanted to be wined and dined,” recalls Sam. “I went back to my old ways for our first official date and didn’t talk very much that night – I was nervous! But it all worked out!”
Indeed, within six months the pair were planning their wedding, which took place in Brisbane on Dec. 4, 2011.
“When we said our ‘I do’s, I said ‘I’ve finally got you!’” recalls Sam with a smile.
Undoubtedly, too, there have been some tough times – most notably in 2016 when Rachel received a 2am wake-up she will never forget. “It definitely wasn’t a phone call you want to receive, and I definitely wasn’t expecting it,” Rachel recalls.
Sam, who was in London representing his country, had suffered a serious facial injury during a World Cup game and was due to have reconstructive surgery. Rachel immediately booked a flight.
“I arrived in the hospital as Sam was coming out of recovery,” says Rachel.
Adds Sam: “When I woke up from surgery, she was there right by my side. To have that support was amazing.”
Today, Rachel and Sam are doting parents to daughters Gracie, 5, and Ellsie, 3. And now that Sam has called time on his professional football career, the family is looking forward to the next chapter of their lives.
Sam also relished the opportunity to tell his remarkable story in his new book, Tries, Lies & Meat Pies.
“Working on the book has been a time to reminisce,” says Sam, adding, “It’s been a great journey for all of us.”
TRIES, LIES & MEAT PIES BY SAM THAIDAY, PENGUIN, RRP $ 34.99, IS AVAILABLE NOW