NQ sign former school legend
THE Cowboys have signed a legend of Townsville schoolboy rugby league as they look to bolster their squad in the run-in to finals football.
Former Ignatius Park College star Gehamat Shibasaki, who had been playing rugby in Japan, has signed for the NRL outfit for the rest of the season.
Shibasaki, an outside back still only 24 years of age, played 14 games in the 2020-21 season at Newcastle, scoring six tries, before his brief stint in Japan.
He also played 13 times for the Brisbane Broncos in 2018-19.
Cowboys football manager Micheal Luck confirmed Shibasaki would join the club on a train and replacement basis and play in the Queensland Cup for the Townsville Blackhawks, Northern Pride, or the Mackay Cutters.
Luck said no decision had been made on which Q-cup side Shibasaki would join.
“We haven’t decided on where he is best placed to go,” he said.
“I think he’s still got a week or two of training because he’s obviously come back from Japanese rugby and got to get himself back in shape.”
Blackhawks coach Aaron Payne said the club had indicated to the Cowboys that they would welcome Shibasaki at their club, but the decision was out of their hands.
“We would love for him to come to the Blackhawks, but that’s for the Cowboys to decide,” he said.
“They have three feeder clubs, and they will have to choose which one they think is the right fit for him.
“He’s a Townsville kid and it would be great for him to play for his home club, and we have indicated to the Cowboys that we would like that, but it’s their decision.”
The Blackhawks could have done with Shibasaki on Saturday as they went down to QCup ladder leaders Burleigh Bears on the Gold Coast 30-16.
They were leading the Bears 12-6 at halftime, but a three-try blitz in 12 minutes after the break, proved the difference, with the Bears scoring a fourth second-half try in the final minute to put the gloss on the win.
Coach Payne said the three tries in quick succession proved the difference but said there were positives to come out of the defeat.
“We certainly weren’t at our best for the entire game,” the former Cowboys hooker said.
“It was disappointing that in 12 minutes on the game clock and eight minutes of playing time, we conceded three quick tries which broke our back.”
The Blackhawks are seventh on the ladder, level with the Tweed Seagulls on 16 points and a point ahead of Northern Pride and Easts Tigers in ninth and 10th as the race for finals heats up.
Only four points separate the Cutters on 14 points in 11th and the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in fifth, so Payne said it was clear what his side needed to do.
“There are five games left before finals,” he said.
“Some results have gone our way over the weekend, but it’s down to us.”