Sam Talakai leaves NSW and signs for Queensland Reds after successful Brisbane City stint Sam Talakai has signed for the Queensland Reds. HE still considers himself a New South Welshman, and will be supporting the Blues in next year's State of Origin series, but boom rugby prop Sam Talakai has switched his professional allegiance by signing with Queensland Reds. The 23-year-old rising front row star from Sydney has been handed a rookie contract for the Reds" "elite development squad" and is set to make his Super Rugby debut next year. Talakai has been stolen from NSW, for who he played against the British & Irish Lions in 2013, against his first cousin, England prop Mako Vunipola. Having been in the NSW system, Talakai has chosen the northern path to get a clearer shot at the top level. Sam Talakai playing for Brisbane City in the inaugural NRC competition. "I looked at the Waratahs, and their top four props have pretty much been injury-free for the last five years; Benn Robinson, Sekope Kepu, Paddy Ryan, Jeremy Tilse, they have all played a lot of games of Super Rugby," Talakai said. Reds forwards coach Nick Stiles poached Talakai from Sydney University to play with Brisbane City in the inaugural NRC. Stiles led Brisbane to the premiership and Talakai, who played six games before suffering an ankle injury, showed enough for the Reds to offer him a deal. Reds head coach Richard Graham is orchestrating a major change of personnel at the club following a disappointing 2014 season, having signed superstars James O'Connor and Karmichael Hunt. Talakai, who has been training alongside Hunt, Quade Cooper and Will Genia in the past two months, believes Queensland will be a renewed force next year. France's Teddy Thomas put the Wallabies to the sword during their Spring Tour match, beating six defenders on his way to a stunning try. "Training has had a great vibe, guys like Karmichael, he has been out of the game for a while but he's got a very good rugby brain," Talakai said. There is a lot of competition for spots, and competition brings the best out of people. Talakai is slowly adjusting to his new life in Brisbane, where he lives with teammate Matthew Mafi. "It was a bit weird when I first came up, my mum asked me who I'd be supporting in the Origin next year," Talakai said. I will still stick with NSW. I am born and raised in NSW, I still regard myself as a New South Welshman, but this move has come about because it is best for my career. When I pull on that Reds jersey it won't matter where I'm from, I'll be putting my all into it for Queensland.