Back from the wilderness: the incredible rise of Gehamat Shibasaki

Once forgotten, now front and centre, Gehamat Shibasaki has completed one of rugby league's most remarkable comebacks.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 24: Gehamat Shibasaki of the Broncos celebrates scoring a try during the round eight NRL match between Brisbane Broncos and Canterbury Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium, on April 24, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images) Credit: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Just a year ago Gehamat Shibasaki was grinding it out in the Queensland Cup and flying under the radar in the rugby league wilderness.

This week he’s been selected to play in one of the most elite arenas in Australian sport, the cauldron that is State of Origin.

At 27 years old, he’ll make his debut for the Queensland Maroons against the Blues on July 9.

His comeback story is one for the ages because, early on in his career, Shibasaki, who’s of Torres Strait Islander and Japanese descent, was considered one of the NRL’s most promising rising stars.

However, like many young athletes, his career didn’t go to plan and he almost walked away from the game altogether.

Brisbane Broncos player Gehamat Shibasaki during a team training session, August 6, 2018. Credit: DAN PELED/AAPIMAGE

Shibasaki made his debut for the Brisbane Broncos under 20s team in 2016, winning the 'Best Back' award.

The same year he represented Queensland in the under 18s and under 20s teams.

Gehamat Shibasaki during Brisbane Broncos training on March 27, 2019. Credit: DARREN ENGLAND/AAPIMAGE

In 2017, he got the call to train with the Broncos first grade squad and he played for Brisbane in the Auckland nines.

Shibasaki made his debut for the Broncos in 2018, playing just one game, and he also represented the junior Kangaroos and the Prime Minister’s XIII.

Shibasaki, Tallisha Harden and David Fifita.

A year later, he played 12 games for the Broncos, but he was released at the end of 2019 to take up a contract with the Newcastle Knights.

Over two seasons in Newcastle he played 14 games and was released by the club at the end of 2021.

Shibasaki playing for the Knights against the New Zealand Warriors, March 14, 2020. Credit: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

He then switched to rugby union, playing for Green Rockets Tokatsu in Japan, where he featured in eight games.

Gehamat Shibasaki playing union for the NEC Green Rockets in the Japanese league on January 08, 2022. Credit: Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images

In July 2022 his signed with the Cowboys on a train and trial deal, that resulted in him earning a one-year deal in 2023.

But he ended up only playing two games for North Queensland and was released at the end of the year.

Shibasaki of the Cowboys is tackled by Kieran Foran of the Titans on March 25, 2023. Credit: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

He spent the majority of 2024 playing the Queensland Cup competition for the Townsville Blackhawks, but he also signed a week-by-week contract with the Rabbitohs playing one game for the Bunnies.

Shibaski played for the Townsville Blackhawks in 2024.

He signed a train-and-trial contract with the Broncos for 2025 and has played all 15 games for Brisbane, clocking up 58 tackle breaks, 13 line breaks and 12 tries so far this season.

On NITV's Over the Black Dot host Dean Widders believes Shibasaki's rise has a lot to do with Brisbane Broncos Coach Michael Maguire and the hard work he did during pre-season training.

“This takes me back to a time, Michael Maguire coaching at South Sydney, Kirisome Auva'a and Dylan Walker two big, physical centres,” Withers said.

“[They were] young coming in and inexperienced, Michael Maguire turned them into premiership winner and Dylan Walker played for Australia.

”He’s doing the same with Gehamat Shibasaki.”

Broncos coach Michael Maguire. Source: AAP / JONO SEARLE/AAPIMAGE

Co-host Bo de la Cruz praised the work ethic of Shibasaki to resurrect his career.

“He was on a train and trial for Wynnum Manly, so he sacrificed,” de la Cruz said.

"He left his family in Townsville, his missus and his bub."

Shibasaki makes a break for the Broncos during the round 14 NRL match against the Gold Coast Titans on June 07, 2025. Credit: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

De la Cruz said on the first day of pre-season training, Shibasaki was one of the last players to finish the fitness test.

“So, he ripped into pre-season, he’s worked on his diet, he worked on everything off-field that he needed to, to have himself ready to go for the season," she said.

Dean Widders, host of Over the Black Dot. Credit: NITV

“He’s come up with the goods.

“We’ve seen what he can do on the field, he’s absolutely terrorising teams on the outside edge.

“I’m really excited to watch him chuck on the Maroons jersey because he deserves it.”

Co-host Beau Champion believes Shibasaki is a great story for any young player trying to make it in professional sport.

“If you wok hard enough, you will get opportunities and I’m really excited to see him play next Wednesday night even though he’s wearing that Maroon jersey,” he said.

See more on tonight's episode of Over the Black from 9:30pm on NITV.