Gehamat Shibasaki poised to cap remarkable season with selection in Australia’s first Test team

From facing career extinction to wearing the green and gold, Broncos premiership winner Gehamat Shibasaki stands on the brink of a stunning Test debut at Wembley Stadium. See the expected team.

Gehamat Shibasaki (left) at Kangaroos training in London. Pic: NRL

From NDIS to Wembley Stadium.

Broncos premiership-winning centre Gehamat Shibasaki is poised to cap a remarkable season with selection in Australia’s first Test team to play England at Wembley Stadium.

And 27-year-old Shibasaki – who described this season as “all or nothing” in his career – insists he would be back in Townsville working for the NDIS had he bombed out of the NRL this year.

Arriving in Brisbane on a humble train-and-trail pre-season contract, worth around $85,000, Shibasaki has won an NRL grand final, played State of Origin for Queensland and is now close to earning a Test call-up.

This masthead understands Shibasaki and Brisbane teammate Kotoni Staggs will be the Ashes centre pairing with fellow grand final winner Reece Walsh to start from fullback.

Mark Nawaqanitawase and Josh Addo-Carr are certain to be Australia’s wingers with Cameron Munster and Nathan Cleary to form the halves.

Gehamat Shibasaki is poised for a Kangaroos debut. Picture: NRL Photos

Canberra’s Hudson Young is tipped to be named in the backrow alongside skipper Isaah Yeo and the Sydney Roosters’ Angus Crichton.

Gold Coast’s Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will be one prop with the second starting front-rower either Lindsay Collins or Pat Carrigan.

Tom Dearden, Keaon Koloamatangi and Reuben Cotter are likely bench players. Cleary is the only NSW starting back in the Kangaroo’s side.

Shibasaki spoke of his remarkable season at Australian training at St Mary’s University, Twickenham in west London.

“I’m not young anymore so it was all-or-nothing. If it didn’t happen this year, there was nothing else after that,” he said.

“I knew I had more in me when I was back home (in Townsville) working. I wanted another crack but knew I had to go all the way and it worked. ‘Madge’ (Michael Maguire) was the right coach to do it with.

“I knew if I came down (from Townsville) I’d have to have a crack.”

Gehamat Shibasaki looks set to earn the centres spot over his competition in Bradman Best. Picture: NRL Photos

Asked where he would be now had this season failed, Shibasaki said: “I’d be back home working in NDIS support for kids with disabilities who are less fortunate.

“That work brings you back to earth and I have learned to be grateful for what I have. When I was younger, I took things for granted.”

Now it looks as though Shibasaki is off to Wembley.

“It’s been a crazy, crazy season. It’s been unreal,” he said.

“If you told me last year I was going to the grand final this season I would have laughed, let alone making the Australian side.

“Fingers crossed that I’m in the side. It’s good to be over here in England with the boys.”

Shibasaki’s season was rocked in early September after turning up to training intoxicated after a night out.

“I did what I did, I got in trouble and it pulled me back into line,” Shibasaki said. “It got me refocused on what I needed to do. I had a job to do and the job wasn’t done.”

The first Test will be played on Sunday afternoon in London with the game being beamed into Australia on Monday morning.

Originally published as Gehamat Shibasaki poised to cap remarkable season with selection in Australia’s first Test team