A product of Waverley College in Sydney, Talakai became a regular for Sydney University, making 72 first-grade appearances for the club.
His form for the University saw him called up to the Waratahs squad in the summer of 2013, coming off the bench to make his professional debut against the British and Irish Lions.
Standing at 6ft, the prop's Super Rugby breakthrough came at the Queensland Reds, making 40 appearances for the men in maroon between 2015 and 2017.
Talakai then made the switch to join the Melbourne Rebels ahead of the 2018 season and quickly became a near ever-present for his new squad, missing only one match across a two-year stint with the franchise.
After a short spell in Japan at the end of 2018, three seasons at Suntory Sungoliath followed, helping helping a star-studded Sungoliath squad reach three Grand Finals before returning to the Rebels ahead of the 2023 Super Rugby campaign.
Talakai's form saw him drafted into the Australia squad for the 2022 Autumn Nations Series, with former Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Dave Rennie handing the tight-head his international debut by selecting him amongst the replacements for a 39-34 victory over Wales in Cardiff.
A consistent presence during his second spell with the Rebels, he featured in all 29 of their matches across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, making his 100th Super Rugby appearance in the franchise's quarter-final defeat to the Hurricanes earlier this year.
Talakai has also represented Australia A and the Barbarians, serving as vice-captain in the latter's clash with Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens last September before coming off the bench against Bristol Bears the following weekend.