If anyone knows the value of persistence it’s Huddersfield’s new signing Jacob Gagai. The Aussie utility back spent years doing the hard yards in the reserve grades back home. He didn’t make his NRL debut until last season - at the grand old age of 28. But having finally proved his worth with South Sydney, Gagai is now looking to make a name for himself in Super League.
On that long battle to make a breakthrough, he said: “My love for the game was a big thing. I love playing rugby league and I knew I was capable of playing at the highest level. That’s probably why I didn’t give up on it because I knew I could do it.
“I got the opportunity and took it with both hands. There were times when I had those conversations [about doing something else] but I’ve got a strong family and a big family who were really supportive of me and my partner. “If it wasn’t for them, I might not have kept carrying on. But I’m glad I didn’t give up because I wouldn’t be standing here today. It’s been a cool journey.”.
Part of that family is elder brother Dane Gagai, the Queensland State of Origin and Australia centre. Asked if the World Cup winner had given him much advice about his switch to Huddersfield, he said: “Not too much. We don’t really talk too much rugby league. It's more just catching up.
