Broncos Star Shibasaki Courted by Rivals Amidst Contract Uncertainty
Brisbane Broncos sensation Gehamat Shibasaki, a player who has rapidly ascended from relative obscurity to become a premiership and State of Origin winner, is attracting significant attention from rival National Rugby League (NRL) clubs. His manager has revealed that multiple teams have expressed keen interest, with Shibasaki even open to the possibility of joining the yet-to-be-established PNG Chiefs franchise.
Shibasaki’s rise in 2025 was nothing short of meteoric. He not only played a pivotal role in a premiership-winning campaign but also earned a coveted State of Origin jersey. To cap off a remarkable year, he made his Test debut for the Kangaroos. Astonishingly, he achieved all this while still on a development contract, earning a modest league-minimum wage of $160,000 for the current year. With his contract expiring at the end of the 2026 season, Shibasaki is poised for a substantial financial upgrade come 2027.
The Brisbane Broncos may find themselves in a challenging position to retain Shibasaki. While the departures of stalwarts like Payne Haas, who is set to join the South Sydney Rabbitohs, and the impending retirement of Adam Reynolds might free up salary cap space, the club also boasts considerable depth in its outside backs. This could lead the Broncos to prioritise replenishing their forward stocks, potentially leaving Shibasaki vulnerable to poaching by rival clubs.
Speaking on the matter, Shibasaki’s manager, Wayde Rushton, confirmed the widespread interest. “Gem loves Brisbane, but understands there’s salary cap pressures, so we need to just work out where he fits in the salary cap and where he is best suited,” Rushton stated. He acknowledged the impact of the Broncos’ player movements. “With Payne and ‘Reyno’ going at the end of the season, I’d say there would be more of a chance of him staying at the Broncos, yes. It was a perfect year for Gem and the coaching of ‘Madge’ (Michael Maguire) is obviously helping. But he also has major interest. I will sit down with Gem, present him with his options, and see what best suits him and his family.”
The financial implications for Shibasaki are significant. On the open market, he is projected to command a salary of approximately $600,000 per season. The emerging PNG Chiefs franchise has emerged as a genuine contender for his signature. Rushton commented on this prospect: “For PNG to get an international and Origin calibre centre like Gem would be huge, but his preference is to stay at Brisbane if we can get a deal done.”
Perth Bears Continue Aggressive Recruitment Drive, Targeting Panthers Talent
In parallel to the Shibasaki saga, the Perth Bears, an expansion club gearing up for their inaugural season, are demonstrating an ambitious recruitment strategy. Following their successful acquisition of Penrith Panthers duo Liam Henry and Scott Sorensen, the Bears are reportedly setting their sights on further talent from the reigning premiers.
Sources indicate that the Perth outfit is now keen on securing the services of young Panthers halfback Jack Cole and Warriors forward Marata Niukore. The Daily Telegraph reports that Mal Meninga, a prominent figure in Australian rugby league, is particularly interested in the 22-year-old Cole. Cole, currently finding opportunities limited behind established stars Nathan Cleary and Blaize Talagi at Penrith, could find a more prominent role in Perth. Both Niukore and Cole are currently uncontracted for the 2027 season, making them attractive prospects to add immediate impact and strike power to the Bears’ nascent squad.
The Bears’ recruitment spree is not showing any signs of slowing down. They are also rumoured to be pursuing Cronulla Sharks centre Siosifa Talakai. This latest interest follows an already impressive list of signings for the Perth club, which includes:
- Liam Henry (Panthers)
- Scott Sorensen (Panthers)
- Nick Meaney
- Tyran Wishart
- Sean Russell
- Josh Curran
- Chris Vea’ila
- James McDonnell
- Harry Newman
- Luke Smith
- Toby Sexton
- Emarly Bitungane
- Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui
The aggressive recruitment by the Perth Bears signals their intent to build a competitive team from the outset, and their focus on established NRL talent, including players from premiership-winning clubs like the Panthers, highlights their ambition to make an immediate mark on the competition. The potential departure of another State of Origin-calibre player like Shibasaki from Brisbane would be a significant blow to the Broncos, while the Bears continue to assemble a formidable roster for their debut season.
