NRL 2020: PNG Test star Edene Gebbie quits South Sydney Rabbitohs
He was the guy who was going to replace GI at the Rabbitohs, next he was on the radar at the Wests Tigers. Then he was gone, and nobody knew where.
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The Wests Tigers have been denied a chance to sign a rugby league excitement machine after discovering their South Sydney signing target had `mysteriously disappeared.
In a rugby league vanishing act, the Tigers were forced to give up on their interest in Kumuls Test star Edene Gebbie after learning he had been given a Redfern release to return home to Papua New Guinea.
“We made some inquiries,” a Tigers official told News Corp.
“But were unable to take it any further after finding out he had left Australia.”
Touted as a potential replacement for Greg Inglis when he was signed by the Rabbitohs last year, Gebbie has shocked rugby league by quietly walking away from his dream NRL deal.
News Corp Australia has learned the flying fullback, who blitzed the Queensland Cup before being snapped up by Souths, became frustrated about being overlooked after the club signed Latrell Mitchell.
Told he would get the chance to challenge Adam Doueihi to become the Rabbitohs’ first-choice fullback, Gebbie became a rugby league outcast after Souths snared Mitchell in a last-minute signing.
The PNG Test sensation was relegated to a training only role after COVID hit in a double blow that proved too much.
Without a lower grade competition to play in during stage two coronavirus lockdown, Gebbie sought a release to return to PNG so he could play rugby league.
Few knew about the release with the Rabbitohs keeping the departure quiet.
It was in stark contrast from the way the club announced the signing last year with former boss Shane Richardson last year trumpeting Gebbie’s arrival at Redfern.
“Edene is an exciting prospect and we’re looking forward to seeing him develop his skills over the next two years under the guidance of our coaching staff,” Richardson, said.
“He has scored 19 tries in 29 games over the past two seasons with his sides winning 22 of those 29 games in which he has played. His speed and hard running are his major assets and we’re sure that he can add more strings to his bow in our system.
“He brings with him international experience and with some refinement of his game, as well surrounding him in a full-time professional environment, we’re certain he has what it takes to move towards an NRL debut.
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“His signing is another example of our recruitment plan to introduce players to our squad with great pedigrees and great character. We’re all keen to see what Edene can achieve at our club.”
Gebbie’s agent, Cameron Phelps, declared his client’s NRL dream was not over with clubs already expressing interest in bringing the PNG star back to Australia next year.
“This is only temporary,” Phelps said.
“He wants to play NRL and wants to prove himself an NRL player. He really looks up to Justin Olam and is determined to follow in his footsteps. We are currently looking at his options for next year and have already a fielded interest from NRL clubs.”
Originally published as NRL 2020: PNG Test star Edene Gebbie quits South Sydney Rabbitohs