NRL Las Vegas: Cody Walker trains with Rabbitohs, Jacob Gagai’s becomes club’s second oldest debutant

Jacob Gagai is on the verge of completing an NRL debut that no other player in the history of the game has experienced. Plus a South Sydney star completes crucial fitness test.

Jacob Gagai is on the verge of completing an NRL debut that no other player in the history of the game has experienced.

If becoming the second oldest Rabbitohs to make their NRL debut isn’t layered with enough emotion, he will achieve his first grade dream by running out onto Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

At 28 years and 66-days old, Gagai is the second oldest Rabbitoh - behind 1998 debutant Simon Forrest - to make his debut in NRL history.

Offering the finest example of persistence and refusing to give up, Gagai has arrived on a stage that no other rookie has encountered.

“I never would have thought I’d be in America with the boys,’’ Gagai said.

“But all the hard work and sacrifice has been worthwhile.

“100 per cent I had those thoughts (about giving up).

“In the past year I found myself just working hard, but not really going anywhere past NSW Cup.

“But luckily I’ve got a strong family and support base behind me to keep pushing me.

“I always knew what I was capable of and my ability and in the end I just didn’t want to turn my back and give up on this dream.

Jacob Gagai prepares to make his debut. Picture: Sunny Brar/Rabbitohs Digital

Jacob Gagai training in the US. Picture: Sunny Brar/Rabbitohs Digital

“I don’t know what I would’ve done without rugby league.’’

Gagai, the younger brother of Test, Queensland and Knights centre Dane, gets his shot after impressing head coach Jason Demetriou and also, the club’s current backline exodus.

Without Jack Wighton (suspension), Campbell Graham (sternum) and Tyrone Munro (ankle), Gagai has worked so hard that he left Demetriou little choice.

“That was the one thing this pre-season I told myself, I wasn’t just going to come in and go through the motions and waste everyone’s time,’’ Gagai said.

“I had a good pre-season to give myself an opportunity.

“I just wanted to keep training hard and not read too much into what was happening with the other boys (Wighton, Graham and Munro).

Gagai’s debut also comes after he was disappointingly ruled out of the Maori All Stars side due to suspension, robbing him of a chance to play with his older sibling.

Unfortunately, Dane has been unable to convince Newcastle officials to let him travel to the US for the match.

“To be honest my head was a bit rattled at the time,’’ Gagai said of his All Stars suspension.

“I was all over the shop because that’s such a big thing for my mum’s side of the family.

“It wasn’t only huge for myself, but for Dane, for my whole family and also being in Townsville, it was only four hours away from Mackay.

“Then the suspension thing came up and not knowing would happen, it was hard.

“But I had that strong support from mum and dad to keep me focused on making that debut for Souths.

“Dane was obviously upset about how close we came to playing together on that stage which we’re probably going to miss doing again.

“That’s all gone now.

“With this moment, I think he will (talk to me before the game). It won’t be too much, it will be one or two tips to work on.

“He’ll be more proud than anything.’’

WATCH: WALKER’S CRUCIAL FITNESS TEST

All roads lead to Las Vegas for Cody Walker after joining the Rabbitohs main training group on Wednesday morning (AEDT).

The Souths star has spent the past week working alone with the high performance staff.

But on Wednesday he completed a 90-minute team training session (see in the video player above) without any concern for the calf injury that has plagued him.

The Rabbitohs desperately needed their veteran five-eighth to play given they are without the suspended Jack Wighton and the injured Campbell Graham who could be out for six months following surgery on his injured sternum.

The Bunnies will also be missing winger Tyrone Munro which has opened the door for Jacob Gagai to make his NRL debut at the ripe old age of 28 after the club successfully campaigned to have a one-game ban served in the All Stars match.

– with Martin Gabor