Gehamat Shibasaki

Gehamat Shibasaki

Personal information
Born	(1998-09-02) 2 September 1998 (age 25) Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Height	184 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	96 kg (15 st 2 lb)
Playing information
Rugby union
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2022 Green Rockets Tokatsu 4 3 0 0 15
Rugby league
Position	Centre, Wing
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2018–19 Brisbane Broncos 13 0 0 0 0 2020–21 Newcastle Knights 14 6 0 0 24 2023 North QLD Cowboys 2 0 0 0 0 2024– South Sydney 1 0 0 0 0 Total 30 6 0 0 24 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2018 Queensland Residents 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [1] As of 11 May 2024

Gehamat Shibasaki (born 2 September 1998) is an Australian-Japanese professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre or winger.

He previously played for the Brisbane Broncos, Newcastle Knights and the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League (NRL) and Green Rockets Tokatsu in the Japan Rugby League One.

Background

Shibasaki was born in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, and is of Torres Strait Islander, Japanese and Palau descent. ^[2] His younger brother Jamal also plays in the NRL for North Queensland Cowboys. ^[3]

He played his junior rugby league for Townsville Brothers before being signed by the Brisbane Broncos.

Playing career

Early career

Shibasaki played for the Brisbane Broncos NYC team in 2016-2017. ^[4] On 13 July 2016, Shibasaki played for the Queensland under 20's team against New South Wales, playing at centre in the 36-22 loss at ANZ Stadium. ^[5] In February 2017, Shibasaki was selected in Brisbane's 2017 NRL Auckland Nines squad. ^[6] On 31 May 2017, Shibasaki was selected to play at centre again for Queensland in the Under 20's State of Origin clash in the 30-16 loss at Suncorp Stadium. ^[7]

2018

In 2018, Shibasaki moved from the Under 20's team to the Queensland Cup, playing for the Norths Devils. ^[8] In round 11 against the Sydney Roosters, Shibasaki was named to make his NRL debut but was only to be replaced later in the week by Kotoni Staggs. ^[9] On 11 July 2018, Shibasaki was selected for the third year in a row for Queensland Under 20's at centre as they won their first title in a 30-12 victory at Suncorp Stadium. ^[10] In round 22 of the 2018 NRL season, Shibasaki made his NRL debut for the Brisbane side against the North Queensland Cowboys in his home town in Townsville, playing at centre for the demoted Jordan Kahu in Brisbane's heartbreaking 34-30 loss at 1300SMILES Stadium. ^{[8] [11]} A day after making his debut, Shibasaki was rewarded with a contract extension with the Brisbane Broncos to the end of the 2020 NRL season. ^[12]

2019

Shibasaki made 12 appearances for Brisbane in the 2019 NRL season as the club finished 8th on the table and qualified for the finals. Shibasaki played in the club's elimination final against Parramatta which Brisbane lost 58-0 at the new Western Sydney Stadium. The defeat was the worst in Brisbane's history and also the biggest finals defeat in history. ^{[13] [14] [15]} In December, he gained a release from Brisbane to join the Newcastle Knights effective immediately on a three-year contract. ^[16]

2020

Shibasaki played 11 games for Newcastle in the 2020 NRL season. Shibasaki did not play in Newcastle's finals campaign where they were eliminated in the opening week against South Sydney. ^[17]

2021

Shibasaki played three games for the Newcastle side in 2021 before being released at the end of the season. ^{[18] [19]}

2022

On 17 July, Shibasaki signed with the North Queensland Cowboys on a train and trial contract for the remainder of the 2022 NRL season. ^[20] On 15 November, he signed a one-year contract with the club for 2023. ^[21]

2023

In round 3 of the 2023 NRL season, Shibasaki made his club debut for North Queensland in their 26-12 loss against the New Zealand Warriors. ^[22] On 20 September, it was announced that Shibasaki would be leaving North Queensland after not being offered a new contract. Shibasaki was one of nine players who were released. ^[23]

2024

In round 10 of the 2024 NRL season, Shibasaki joined the South Sydney Rabbitohs on a week by week playing contract. This was to help fill spots from other players being injured. Shibasaki had been playing for the Townsville Blackhawks in the Queensland Cup which was an affiliated team with South Sydney. ^[24]

References

1. "Gehamat Shibasaki - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org.
2. "The destiny that led to Gehamat Shibasaki's NRL debut for the Brisbane Broncos". National Rugby League. 8 August 2018.
3. "Get to know our young players ahead of Sunday's trial". NQ Cowboys. 15 February 2024.
4. "Broncos teen sensation 'NRL-ready'". National Rugby League. 24 January 2017.
5. "NSW maintain hold on Under 20 shield". Queensland Rugby League. 13 July 2016.
6. "2017 Downer NRL Auckland Nines squads". National Rugby League. 3 February 2017.
7. "NSW fight back to win under-20s Origin". National Rugby League. 31 May 2017.
8. "Teenager Gehamat Shibasaki set for Broncos debut in centres against Cowboys". National Rugby League. 6 August 2018.
9. "Broncos young gun Kotoni Staggs to make NRL debut against Sydney Roosters". www.couriermail.com.au.
10. "State of Origin 2018: Under 20s QLD Maroons beat NSW Blues with Jake Clifford starring". 11 July 2018.
11. "Thurston sticks the knife into Brisbane". www.couriermail.com.au. 9 August 2018.
12. "Brisbane re-sign debutant centre Gehamat Shibasaki following his top-grade debut". www.couriermail.com.au.
13. "Parramatta Eels eliminate Brisbane Broncos from the NRL Finals with a thumping 58-0 win". ABC News. 15 September 2019.
14. "Fuming Seibold fires off at players, promises review of roster after 'embarrassing' loss". Fox Sports. 16 September 2019.
15. "Seibold: 'Top to bottom' review needed as Brisbane search for answers". NRL. 15 September 2019.
16. "Gehamat Shibasaki signs with Newcastle Knights". Newcastle Knights. 5 December 2019.
17. "2020 season by the numbers". www.nrl.com. 28 November 2020.
18. "Custom Match List - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org.
19. "Departures! Farewell to Knights leaving in 2021". Newcastle Knights. 14 September 2021.
20. "Cowboys snare mid-season signing for finals run". wwos.nine.com.au.
21. "Shibasaki signs for 2023". 15 November 2022.
22. "Storm unleash young gun half as desperate Tigers forced into reshuffle: Teams Analysis". www.foxsports.com.au. 14 March 2023.
23. "North Queensland Cowboys swing axe in roster cleanout after horror NRL season". 7news.com.au. 19 September 2023.
24. "Rabbitohs call up ex-NRL outside back to NRL squad". www.zerotackle.com.

External links

• Newcastle Knights profile