NRL 2024: South Sydney’s Jacob Gagai prepares to join rare group as he closes in on ‘dream’ debut in Las Vegas

Rabbitohs rookie Jacob Gagai feared his NRL dream was over after a turbulent 48 hours. Now he is on the verge of joining a rare group of late bloomers. See the full list.

South Sydney will be hoping to have Jacob Gagai available for its Vegas opener. NRL Imagery

The wave of emotion Jacob Gagai experienced last week will be nothing like the euphoria of joining a rare list of players to make their NRL debut after their 28th birthday.

Gagai has been working hard in the background amassing almost 100 combined NSW and Queensland Cup matches while keeping the faint hope of an NRL debut alive. Now he looks destined to finally fulfil his wish after joining the rest of the Rabbitohs squad in the US.

“It would mean the world,” Gagai said. “It would mean the absolute world to not only myself but my family who have been driving me this whole time. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a young boy.

“It will hit me in the week leading into it. I can’t wait. There were times there that I thought it wasn’t going to happen but I kept chipping away. I was biding my time.

South Sydney will be hoping to have Jacob Gagai available for its Vegas opener. NRL Imagery

“I knew I had the ability to do it. I just want to keep fighting hard and working hard for something that was going to pay off and hopefully that is what is going to happen.”

Gagai’s dream looked like it was about to be ripped from him just as an NRL debut looked within touching distance. The NSWRL ruled his selection in the All Stars last week was not enough to satisfy a one-game ban hanging over his head.

Despite not playing in the Maori side alongside older brother Dane, Gagai, who is on a development deal at the Rabbitohs, was told by the NSWRL that he would also be banned for round one.

A furious South Sydney blasted the decision and wrote to the NRL who overturned the state league’s ruling two days later.

Gagai capped a turbulent 48 hours with a strong showing for South Sydney in the Charity Shield to ensure his spot in the Rabbitohs’ extended squad for round one.

“My head was all over the shop,” Gagai said. “Getting told they were going to count the All Stars game as a suspension then they said it wasn’t going to work and I was going to miss round one.

“I was shattered thinking I was going to miss All Stars and an opportunity in round one. I’m grateful that it’s all come together.”

Jacob Gagai is the younger brother of Knights star Dane Gagai (pictured). Picture: NRL Photos

The Rabbitohs growing injury ward has opened up the door for Gagai. Campbell Graham, Jack Wighton, Izaac Thompson and Tyrone Munro are all missing.

South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou said Gagai deserved his call-up.

“Gags is important to us,” Demetriou said. “It was a difficult 48 hours. Thankfully the right decision has been made. He was devastated when he had to pull out of the All-Stars. Dane was playing on the basis of playing with his brother and the whole family had booked to go up there.

“To potentially miss out on a first grade debut would have been another kick in the guts. I’m glad the game saw sense.

“It’s a really big pat on the back to the NSW Cup. Gags has battled away in that competition in the last couple of years. He has earnt his spot and it shows what the pathway does.”

Gagai will be the oldest debutant for South Sydney in 26 years since winger Simon Forrest played the first of his nine games. St George Illawarra winger Jonathon Reuben (29 years and 92) is the oldest to debut in the NRL period with Darren Nicholls (29 years and 81 days) next of the players who have played their first NRL match without having featured in the Super League.

RABBITOH’S ‘DEVASTATING’ LAS VEGAS BAN OVERRULED BY NRL

— Michael Carayannis and Brent Read

The NRL has come in over the top of the NSWRL to allow Jacob Gagai to be eligible to make his debut for the Rabbitohs in Las Vegas in what South Sydney described would have been a “substantial injustice”.

The move frees Gagai to potentially play his first match at 28 after a long path to the top grade.

A furious South Sydney blasted the NSWRL after the state body refused to allow Gagai to count his selection in the Maori All Stars against a one-match suspension he received at the end of last year playing for the Rabbitohs’ NSW Cup side.

Instead it was ruled that he had to serve his ban in round one thus ruling him out of a depleted South Sydney backline.

South Sydney’s Jacob Gagai will be suspended from the Las Vegas season opener. Picture: NRL Photos

South Sydney challenged the decision with the NSWRL with little joy.

“The decision lacks any common sense, consistency or cultural awareness,” Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly said on Friday.

“It is extremely frustrating for the club but it is devastating for Jacob. He is a player whop has spent 20 years working his backside off to get an opportunity like this, either in All Stars or an NRL debut – and he is denied it by a decision that can only be described as absurd.

“He is devastated as he should be. The decision makers in this case have had no regard for the player.

“Also we are a club that has wholeheartedly supported the All Stars concept since its inception, we know the importance that the game has for anyone selected in it be Indigenous or Māori side, and for the NSWRL to take this sort of attitude to it is mind blowing.

But the Rabbitohs took their fight to the NRL on Friday after making an application to NRL judiciary chairman Geoff Bellew.

The decision highlights the growing fraction between the NRL and the NSWRL.

South Sydney received the good news on the eve of their Charity Shield clash.

“We would like to thank Justice Bellew for his declaration here regarding Jacob’s suspension and avoiding what would have been a substantial injustice,” said South Sydney boss Blake Solly. “We would also like to thank Andrew Abdo and Peter V’landys for their understanding in allowing the club to make this application.

“We are pleased the NRL took a commonsense approach to this case. This decision recognises the importance of Jacob’s selection in what was a fantastic cultural celebration and an important game of football in the NRL calendar. Having missed the NRL All Stars game, Jacob has well and truly served his one match suspension.”

Souths CEO Blake Solly has hit out at the NSWRL. Picture: Julian Andrews

Gagai was ruled out of the Maori All Stars clash because of the suspension. Souths centre Jack Wighton was allowed to count the All Stars game as part of a suspension he incurred at the end of last season.

Likewise, Latrell Mitchell had the All Stars counted as part of a suspension he received in the latter stages of the 2021 season.

According to a NSWRL statement, judiciary chair Abood’s approach to the Gagai situation was specifically covered in the judiciary rules and he should not be the subject of criticism.

“In accordance with Rule 25 of NRL Rules, the NSWRL Judiciary operates totally independently of the NSWRL, as is appropriate, and as is required by NRL Rules,” the statement said.

“These are the same rules the NRL judiciary abide by. The chair of the judiciary acted independently, impartially and in accordance with the NRL Rules which bind him, and he should not be subject to criticism for doing that.

“The chair’s decision was made in accordance with the judiciary rules and the NSWRL has full confidence in the process which was followed.”

But Gagai, whose brother Dane has been a long-time NRL star, is now in line to make his long-awaited debut for South Sydney against Manly.

The Rabbitohs backline has been heavily depleted. The likes of Wighton, Campbell Graham and Tyrone Munro are out while Cody Walker (calf) is racing the clock to play.

Originally published as NRL 2024: South Sydney’s Jacob Gagai prepares to join rare group as he closes in on ‘dream’ debut in Las Vegas