Centre Gehamat Shibasaki has joined the Knights from the Broncos, making the move with immediate effect after being released from Brisbane.
The 21-year-old has signed a three-year deal with the Knights, and comes to the Hunter Valley with experience in the Queensland under 20s and is a former Junior Kangaroos representative.
“He has NRL experience and is a strong defender. We need to be a resilient, strong defensive club. He’s a big and powerful centre,” Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien told the club's website.
“He adds the needed depth to our outside backs with Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Jesse Ramien leaving. He’s competitive and looks to have a tough mindset.”
Shibasaki has played 13 first grade games, with 12 of those coming for Brisbane in 2019.
Absolute drivel for an idea.
Released to make room in the cap for croft.
Knights have so many centres.
Storm should make a play for Tautau Moga.
He would be cheap and available, plus is good on defence and attack. Plus they are getting short on backs with so many leaving.
Something of a surprise considering Shibasaki was one of the Broncos up and coming backs. Then again, as the great Gus Gould once said “‘You can’t keep everyone”‘
@swa9amuff1n…..The problem with Tautau Moga has been injuries, from the time he came into first grade at the Roosters onward. It’s a pity because he has so much potential and if it wasn’t for the injuries who knows how far he would have gone in his career.
The Knight are making very good underrated signings far that not only improve them short term but also long term. There newest signings in Tuala and Shibasaki are both former Australia Under 20’s and both stuck behind overated players in there position in there former clubs.
Tuala has already tasted first grade and never played bad just was never outstanding but with a far better team around him should make a real impact especially on the wing outside Hunt or Moga.
Shibasaki was never really given a chance at first grade and you could that his confidence was never high when playing. there is no doubt a fresh start was needed and will bring fierce competition with best for that right centre spot.
@Budgielegs completely agree Injuries have really hampered what was to be a future QLD maybe even future Australia player. The full season he had was at broncos and truely cemented himself as a really strong centre but unfortunately injuries struck again and is now looked over by everyone as a nrl talent.
Yeah everytime I watched Moga I thought he’s great. He’s still only 25 so if he can have a could injury free years he could still carve out a good career.
Well thats weird. I actually posted my comment above on a different article – the one about NRL considering 4 quarters for games. Somehow ended up on this one.