Sam's happy and that's no rumour

Sam Thaiday in Canberra ahead of the Anzac Test match against New Zealand on Friday. Picture: Evans Mark Source: The Daily Telegraph

BRONCOS captain Sam Thaiday has opened up about the profound impact his new-born daughter has had on his life and hit out at what he says is a "hilarious" stream of rumours attacking his club's reputation.

Tomorrow's trans-Tasman Test at Canberra Stadium meant Thaiday had to tear himself away from his four-day-old daughter on Sunday, just 24 hours after he and wife Rachel named her Gracie Willow.

"She just looked like a little Gracie. We wanted to spend a little bit of time with her first before deciding her name," Thaiday told The Courier-Mail. "Wednesday Thursday Thaiday was on the shortlist though."

Preparing to face New Zealand has been difficult for the 27-year-old first-time dad, under the circumstances.

Returning to the second-row after playing exclusively at prop for the Broncos this season, Thaiday said he was always committed to representing his country.

"It was very tough to leave Gracie, but it is tougher for Rachel at home," Thaiday said. "She has to take care of her without me. "We are very fortunate that her mum is staying with us for a couple weeks which allows Rachel to settle in.

"If I'm picked for the World Cup later in the year, Gracie, Rachel and her mother will come with us because if I'm away for seven weeks, she might forget who Daddy is.

"It has been a big change in my life but I'm loving it.

"If you are happy at home, you are happy in football and a big part of being happy off the field is your family life."

Thaiday, who has now spent a decade in the NRL, has had an arduous 12 months, admitting the responsibility of being Broncos captain "drowned" him, allied to a shoulder problem requiring off-season surgery.

The Broncos have rebounded with back-to-back wins after losing three of their first four matches.

Thaiday heard the rumours of master coach Wayne Bennett being brought back to the club to fix their alleged morale issues, a report the Broncos later denied.

"Those rumours get back to us and it is pretty hilarious. It is not true at all," Thaiday said. "We were very surprised when those things were said and written about us.

"We refuse to lose. If we continue to show up for each other there is no team in the NRL that can beat us."

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