Gehamat Shibasaki has had a remarkable 2025, rising from a train and trial contract to now being on the verge of making his debut for Australia.
Among his biggest fans has been newly appointed Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters, who was glowing in his praise of the powerhouse centre on a recent episode of his Inside Ball podcast.
"We just couldn't ignore Gehamat Shibasaki through Origin and then into the finals series," said Walters.
"In the grand final, he was outstanding - picked up two tries."
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The Australians head to England for the first Ashes in over two decades, which raises concerns over whether Shibasaki has the requisite experience for a series of this magnitude.
For Walters, the Broncos star did enough in a short window to give the selectors confidence that he can replicate his performances on home soil in the test arena.
"He did play Origin. He played in Origin Game Three and had a really strong performance which wrapped the series up for Queensland," said Walters.
"He’s got a good relationship with a couple of the other Broncos players; Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan, Kotoni Staggs, who is the other centre."
Those combinations will become vitally important for a Kangaroos side who has selected seven debutants to go on tour.
"When you select the side, you take into consideration two or three things," said Walters.
"Who’s in the current Australian side from last year?
"Unfortunately a couple of guys [from last year's side] have been left out."
Shibasaki has big shoes to fill as the presumed left centre for the upcoming Kangaroos tour. That spot has been occupied by greats of the game including Greg Inglis and Latrell Mitchell.
But it's hard to count the 27-year-old out after his ascension at both club land and in the Origin arena in 2025.