Cronulla Sharks second rower Siosifa Talakai admits to driving with expired licence

The Cronulla Sharks second rower Siosifa Talakai is preparing for his Origin debut on Sunday after being touted as a “game breaker”. Find out what landed him in court.

A lawyer for NRL second rower Siosifa Talakai has admitted his client drove without a valid licence while the Cronulla Sharks breakout player prepares for his Origin debut in Perth on Sunday.

The 25-year-old did not front Sutherland Local Court on Thursday for a brief mention of his matter, with his lawyer Warwick Korn entering a guilty plea to a charge of having an expired licence.

Talakai’s licence expired in 2020 and this is the second time he has been charged with the offence, agreed facts tendered to court said.

The Rosebery man was driving a red Mazda 6 sedan about 2.20pm on May 13 this year when he was directed to pull over at a stationary random breath test site while travelling eastbound on Captain Cook Drive in Caringbah.

Siosifa Talakai ahead of NSW Origin game two in Perth. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

He returned a negative breath test and a police officer requested he produce a valid and current driver’s licence.

Talakai showed the officer a digital class-C learner’s licence on his phone.

The officer quickly noticed the licence was expired as a red warning appeared on the screen, with the photo on the digital licence depicting Talakai, the documents said.

His licence had expired on October 23, 2020.

According to the documents, that was the second time Talakai had been caught driving while his licence was expired.

Siosifa Talakai during a game against the Gold Coast. Picture: NRL Images.

He was issued with a notice to attend Sutherland Local Court on June 10.

However, he did not appear in court when required, prompting Magistrate Roger Prowse to issue an arrest warrant, despite the charge carrying a maximum fine of $2200.

Sharks management, who were unaware of the charge, sent a lawyer to overturn the decision that afternoon, and the arrest warrant was revoked.

When contacted by the Saturday Telegraph, Sharks media manager Rob Willis labelled the missed court date “an oversight” on Talakai’s behalf, saying the player “hadn’t realised” he had been due to attend court that day.

Sharks player Siosifa Talakai during the round 14 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and at Moreton Daily Stadium, on June 12. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

This week Talakai has been training at the Blues training camp in Perth ahead of Origin II on Sunday.

He has been touted as a “game breaker” after being named in the squad.

Talakai started as a train and trial player in the 2020 pre-season before becoming a stand out for the Sharks during the year.

The powerfully built man has established himself a lead player at the Sharks, after 56 NRL games under his belt, and has been instrumental in the Sharks success this year.

The Mascot Jets junior made his NRL debut for South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2016.

The court heard Talakai will complete the traffic offenders program, with his case returning to court on July 14 for sentence.