Less than 12 months ago, Gehamat Shibasaki was plying his trade in the Queensland Cup, away from the bright lights and pressure of the NRL. Now, he’s preparing for the biggest challenge of his career — a State of Origin debut for the Queensland Maroons.
Shibasaki’s resurgence began with an unexpected lifeline: an $80,000 development contract with the Brisbane Broncos. It was a modest deal, but it opened the door to a stunning career revival.
Fast forward to today, and the 26-year-old centre is set to line up against arguably the two best centres in the game, marking a rapid and remarkable rise few could have predicted.
From Queensland Cup battler to Origin bolter, Shibasaki’s story is the stuff of rugby league fairytales — and he’s ready to write the next chapter on the game’s biggest stage.
