Gehamat Shibasaki on reviving his NRL career thanks to Pat Carrigan and his surprise Maroons selection
Maroons bolter Gehamat Shibasaki has revealed how a heart-to-heart with Broncos star Pat Carrigan saved his NRL career and catapulted him to the biggest game of his career so far.
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Maroons bolter Gehamat Shibasaki says he won’t be a one-hit Origin wonder as he revealed how a heart-to-heart with Broncos star Pat Carrigan saved his NRL career.
In an extraordinary story of redemption, Shibasaki will become the first player in Origin’s 45-year history to play for Queensland or NSW while still holding a development contract.
The 27-year-old still doesn’t have a full-time Broncos deal, underlining his remarkable resurrection from reserve grader at Townsville Blackhawks a year ago to Queensland’s Origin debutant for the Sydney decider on Wednesday week.
Shibasaki has come from the clouds to start at centre and says it was a chance meeting with Carrigan last year that convinced him to give it one final crack at succeeding in the NRL.
“I was pretty happy with working and playing footy at the Blackhawks,” he said.
“The pressure of NRL … I didn’t feel like going through that again, but then the Broncos boys came up north and I thought I can back myself up here (to play NRL again).
“I had a little bit of adversity early, I played Queensland Cup and the Blackhawks helped me out.
“I was happy working and playing footy, but Patty (Carrigan) came to town to play the Cowboys and that lit the fire again.
“It was just a ‘wake up to yourself’ sort of thing.
“Me and Patty are close and we can be honest with each other.
“He just said come back for one more try and come and live with me if you want.
“Now he is asking me for fuel money.
“I gave Wynnum a call, they gave me a chance, and it’s gone from there.”
Shibasaki started at the Broncos on a $1000-a-week training deal and he has been upgraded to an $80,000 development deal – but he still doesn’t have a full-time Brisbane contract.
That is set to change after his stunning rise to Camp Maroon.
“I’m on a development deal so I have a lot to prove. I am just playing my best footy,” he said.
“Six months ago, I didn’t have a contract, I was just scraping through, just to fight my way through the pre-season and trying to get fit.
“I just kept working hard and I knew after Christmas the footy would come along.
“It’s all paid off. It’s been like that every week, I work hard every week to keep my spot.
“We have some outstanding players in the background at the Broncos so we are all fighting each other for a spot.
“I’m just focusing on my role, I can’t control anyone else’s decisions, that’s just preparing for whenever we play.”
Shibasaki was originally so unfit he couldn’t finish a Broncos training session.
But the rugged 97kg centre is now one of the form players of the NRL with 12 tries from 15 games, 58 tackle busts and 13 line breaks to go with an average of 147 metres per game.
Shibasaki is the only player in history to represent the Queensland under-20s three times, underlining why he was always regarded as a special talent.
And it’s why the reborn Bronco believes he can remain in the Origin arena for the long haul.
“I didn’t have Billy’s number saved so I answered it. It was a wholesome conversation and one I dreamt of as a kid,” he said.
“I am trying to soak it all in and focus on each day. My family is so happy, there’s been a lot of happy tears.
“I will take this experience and fingers crossed it’s a continuing thing playing for Queensland.
“I am ready, I am prepared for this.
“Madge (Broncos coach Michael Maguire) has said to me if you prep well, you will be ready and I will be prepared for this.
“I’ve done the hard work.”
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