Jamal Shibasaki Explained

Jamal Shibasaki (born 7 June 2005) is an Australian rugby league footballer who plays as a er for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Background

Born in Townsville, Queensland, Shibasaki is of Torres Strait Islander and Japanese descent.^[2] He is the younger brother of South Sydney Rabbitohs player Gehamat Shibasaki.^[3]

He played his junior rugby league for Townsville Brothers and attended Ignatius Park College before being signed by the Brisbane Broncos.^{[4] [5] [6]}

Playing career

Early career

In 2021, Shibasaki played for the Townsville Blackhawks in the under-16 Cyril Connell Challenge competition, scoring four tries in four games.^[7] In 2022, he moved up to their under-18 Mal Meninga Cup side, starting at second-row in their Grand Final loss to the Souths Logan Magpies.^[8] In September 2022, Shibasaki signed with the North Queensland Cowboys.^{[9] [10]}

In 2023, he began the year captaining the Blackhawks' Mal Meninga Cup side, being named the competition's Player of the Year at the end of the season.^{[11] [12]}

In May 2023, Shibasaki, aged just 17 years and 339 days, made his Queensland Cup debut for the Blackhawks in their 54–4 win over the PNG Hunters.^[13] In July 2023, he represented Queensland under-19, coming off the bench in their loss to New South Wales.^[14] On 17 September 2023, he started at second-row in Townsville's under-21 Colts Grand Final win over the Brisbane Tigers.^[15]

2024

Shibasaki joined the Cowboys' NRL squad ahead of the 2024 season.^[16] He began the season playing for the Mackay Cutters in the Queensland Cup.^[17]

In Round 13 of the 2024 NRL season, he made his NRL debut off the bench against the Sydney Roosters.^[18]

External links

• North Queensland Cowboys profile

Notes and References

1. https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/jamal-shibasaki/summary.html Rugby League Project
2. Web site: The destiny that led to Gehamat Shibasaki's NRL debut for the Brisbane Broncos. 8 August 2018. National Rugby League.
3. Web site: Get to know our young players ahead of Sunday's trial. 15 February 2024. NQ Cowboys.
4. Web site: Brisbane Broncos pinch son of a gun from North Queensland Cowboys. 24 November 2021. Courier Mail.
5. Web site: Spoils shared in junior rugby league deciders. 17 September 2018. Courier Mail.
6. Web site: Ignatius Park’s Jamal Shibasaki draws on brother ahead of positional switch. 10 June 2021. Courier Mail.
7. Web site: 'What a weapon!' - Jamal Shibasaki. 15 March 2021. QRL.
8. Web site: QRL U18 Mal Meninga Cup - 2022 Round 3. 8 March 2022. LeagueUnlimited.
9. Web site: New Cowboy Gehamat Shibasaki’s heartwarming reason for signing. 18 November 2022. Townsville Bulletin.
10. Web site: Shibasaki signs for 2023. 15 November 2022. NQ Cowboys.
11. Web site: Mal Meninga Cup Player of the Year Jamal Shibasaki. 16 September 2023. QRL.
12. Web site: 2023 QRL U18 Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup Preliminary Finals. 15 April 2023. LeagueUnlimited.
13. Web site: Townsville Blackhawks 54 def. Papua New Guinea Hunters 4. 12 May 2023. Rugby League Project.
14. Web site: Queensland Under 19 team named. 3 July 2023. QRL.
15. Web site: Nine Cowboys named for Sunday's U21s Grand Final. 15 September 2023. NQ Cowboys.
16. Web site: Cowboys promote seven from Pathways program to NRL squad for 2024. 24 October 2023. NQ Cowboys.
17. Web site: Q-Cup stats: Cowboys combine for 1,188 running metres. 18 March 2024. NQ Cowboys.
18. Web site: Cowboys team list: Round 13 v Roosters. 28 May 2024. NQ Cowboys.