NRL signing news: Wests Tigers sign PNG sensation Edene Gebbie

Cut by South Sydney, Papua New Guinea’s human highlight reel has been given a second chance in the NRL. WATCH Edene Gebbie’s highlights.

Edene Gebbie’s NRL dream is alive thanks to Wests Tigers. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

Exciting Papua New Guinea fullback Edene Gebbie will link with Wests Tigers for the pre-season on a train-and-trial deal.

Gebbie is still in Papua New Guinea and will join the Tigers in the New Year.

A standout in the Queensland Cup in recent years, Gebbie spent time with South Sydney and was part of the club’s squad for the NRL Nines before he was released in August with a lack of opportunity and the COVID shutdown taking it’s toll.

Edene Gebbie was Queensland Cup’s 2019 fullback of the year. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

The Tigers were interested in landing the 25-year old at the time, but Gebbie headed home to Papua New Guinea.

He did spend the end of the season with a Tiger of sorts after landing with the Lae Sanx Tigers in PNG’s national competition, the Digicel Cup.

Following a heartbreaking grand final loss to the Hela Wigmen, Gebbie was initially named to play in the PNG Hunters side for next years Queensland Cup.

But instead he will give his NRL dream another shot.

He was named 2019 fullback of the year in the Queensland Cup after a stellar season with Wynumm-Manly where he scored 19 tries, made 21 line breaks, broke 162 tackles and averaged 208 running metres per game.

Fast and powerful, and blessed with the raw-boned toughness many PNG players are known for, Gebbie could potentially follow in Melbourne centre Justin Olam’s footsteps.

Like Gebbie, Olam got his start playing for the Hunters before arriving at the Storm via their feeder club, Sunshine Coast Falcons.

Capable of playing wing and fullback, Gebbie has three Test caps for the Kumuls to his name - including last year’s historic victory over Great Britain - and at the very least will give the Tigers some options in the outside backs.

Former Titans winger Tyronne Roberts-Davis will also undergo a train and trial deal with the club.

The 23-year old played seven NRL matches in 2017-18 with Gold Coast and spent last season with Newcastle but did not make a first grade appearance.

Originally published as NRL signing news: Wests Tigers sign PNG sensation Edene Gebbie