NRL Highlights: Broncos v Sharks
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7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
Gehamat Shibasaki: From seven clubs in seven years to the State of Origin decider
27-year-old Gehamat Shibasaki woke late on Sunday night to a call from Billy Slater, informing the Broncos centre he'll be running on for the Queensland Maroons in just over a week's time. Like most things in Shibasaki's career, this came fast, playing full-time for just four months at the Brisbane Broncos on a train and trial contract. 'I'm still on a development deal, and obviously I have a lot to prove, I just want to go out there and play my best footy,' Shibasaki said on Tuesday. 'Four months ago I didn't have a contract, I was just scraping through the pre-season and trying to get fit, but I kept working hard.' Hard work is seemingly a running theme for Shibasaki, who started his career as a rookie sensation for the Brisbane Broncos back in 2018. He managed just 12 appearances for the club across the two years before being moved on to the Newcastle Knights for the 2020-2021 season. The young players time at the Knights showed a similar theme and after just 14 games across two seasons he was eventually released. 2022 and 2023 saw Shibasaki try his hand at rugby union in Japan before returning to Australia on a one-year deal for The Cowboys, playing just two games before being released. Aging, Shibasaki played for the Townsville Blackhawks, and then the Rabbitohs for an all too familiar, one game and a release. In 2025 he was thrown a lifeline by his original club, the Brisbane Broncos. That's seven clubs, seven years, and the twilight of this NRL players erratic career fast approaching. With the odds now overwhelmingly against the centre, it begs the question: what did Slater see that coaches from around the world couldn't? Shibasaki admitted himself he was happy working a job away from the field and playing rugby league for the Blackhawks on the side. 'The pressure of being in the NRL, I didn't feel like going through that again,' he said. That was until his current teammate, Patrick Carrigan, made a trip up north, Shibasaki said that the conversations they had 'lit the fire … and I thought far out, I can really back myself.' Shibasaki has now played every game for the Broncos this year, is the equal second try scorer, equal eighth in line breaks and ranks in the top 15 tackle busters in the NRL for the 2025 season. Gehamat Shibasaki lit the fire However, the job is far from finished, with State of Origin Game 3 being played in New South Wales, the pressure will be on for Slater's Maroons. Eyes will be fixed on the two inexperienced Queensland centres Gehamat Shibasaki and Robert Toia. Toia himself had only made ten appearances before being selected in game one, making him the second least experienced NRL player to field in Origin history. With just two State level appearances between them, many are speculating that Slater's centres could be the weak link that will get the seasoned Blue's over the line. In direct opposition, New South Wales centres Latrell Mitchell and Stephen Chrichton boast an intimidating 21 games between them. However, Shibasaki assured Queenslanders he was focusing on his own game. 'I'm prepared, I've worked hard, even through the pre-season … I'm ready.'
ABC News
3 days ago
- ABC News
Maroons name Gehamat Shibasaki to make State of Origin debut against Blues
Queensland has named a bolter for State of Origin III, with Brisbane Broncos journeyman Gehamat Shibasaki selected to debut in the series decider. Veteran prop Josh Papali'i has been recalled to make his Origin return on July 9 in Sydney, while Reece Walsh has been included in the extended squad following Kalyn Ponga's foot injury. Shibasaki is set to start in the centres, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow shifting from wing to fullback to replace Ponga. Valentine Holmes moves to the wing after appearing in the centres in the Maroons' 26-24 win over NSW in Origin II in Perth. Finishing last year without an NRL deal, Shibasaki was thrown a lifeline by the Broncos on a development contract. He has played in all of the Broncos' 15 matches this year, scoring 12 tries in a blockbusting season at centre. The 27-year-old has proven his many knockers and doubters wrong at club level and has been backed to do the same in the Origin cauldron next month. Canberra Raiders stalwart Papali'i "retired" from State of Origin before the 2023 season after 23 matches and six series wins. But he was convinced by Maroons coach and former teammate Billy Slater to make a return. Maroons squad: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Xavier Coates, Robert Toia, Gehamat Shibasaki, Valentine Holmes, Cameron Munster (c), Tom Dearden, Josh Papali'i, Harry Grant, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Reuben Cotter, Kurt Capewell, Trent Loiero, Kurt Mann, Lindsay Collins, Jeremiah Nanai, Pat Carrigan, Reece Walsh, J'maine Hopgood, Josh Kerr AAP
The Age
4 days ago
- The Age
NRL Highlights: Titans v Cowboys
Gold Coast Titans host the North Queensland Cowboys in Round 17 of the 2025 NRL Premiership at Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast.
