Broncos winger Josiah Karapani’s late-night behaviour at a Valley nightclub has led to his axing from his side’s clash with the Gold Coast Titans, opening the door for Gehamat Shibasaki to relaunch the fight for his future at Red Hill.
Shibasaki was demoted to coach Michael Maguire’s bench after a horror defensive outing in round two against the Eels, in which he missed five tackles as Parramatta exposed Brisbane’s left edge.
But Maguire’s decision to drop Karapani following an altercation in Fortitude Valley after Brisbane’s triumph over the Dolphins, as well as an injury to fellow flyer Grant Anderson, has propelled the one-time Maroons representative back into reckoning.
Karapani had been one of Brisbane’s leading performers this season, averaging 153 running metres a game while missing just three tackles and making two errors in four outings.
Queensland Police issued him with a public nuisance offence and fine, and a one-month nightlife precinct ban, after the altercation with other nightclub attendees in the early hours of Saturday morning.
No charges were laid, but Maguire made his stance on player discipline away from the field clear last year when he dropped Shibasaki for reporting to training still under the influence of alcohol.
Now, Shibasaki gets another chance at redemption, after scoring a try and running for 78 metres off the bench on Friday night when he replaced the injured Anderson – who will miss 10 to 12 weeks with an MCL injury and a fractured tibial plateau.
“We’re fully aware of the depth in our squad, the players are capable of stepping up and getting the job done,” Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds said.
“[Shibasaki] was outstanding, that’s the quality of player he is. It could have been easy for him to kick stones and whatnot, but he’s been super professional at training, he’s been one of the most consistent at training.
“We knew once he got back in there he’d get the job done for us. It’s a shame GA [Anderson] copped that leg injury, but the depth in our squad is quite amazing.”
Shibasaki, off contract at the end of the season, told reporters last month he had not yet entertained life beyond 2026.
“My manager, I left him to do his job there and sort all that stuff out later, but I’ll just keep letting the footy do the talking and keep working hard for my team. Everything else will fall into place, so if I stay present, I won’t have to worry about all that stuff,” the 27-year-old said.
“I don’t want to put a ceiling on my head. I’m really looking forward to continuing that consistency and just focusing on what I can do and make myself better each day.”
Shibasaki’s inclusion also has ramifications for Deine Mariner, who will shift back to the wing despite expressing his desire to remain in the centres long-term. Jesse Arthars will take Anderson’s place on the opposite flank.
The 22-year-old had struggled under the high ball in the opening rounds of the season, before discovering his best form in consecutive appearances in his preferred position.
Mariner, who celebrated his 50th NRL game against the Dolphins, has run for a combined 368 metres across that pair of encounters while making 11 tackle busts, and confirmed he felt he was a better asset to the Brisbane line-up in the centres.
“Obviously, I played there through all my junior grades. I always feel comfortable at centre, and I’m enjoying it,” Mariner said.
“I think in defence, I feel confident in my movements and I know I can back my speed. I just like touching the footy, and I think you get more ball at centre and better carries there.
“[But] at the end of the day, it’s whatever is best for the team, and I trust Madge and his decision.”
The Broncos confirmed on Tuesday hooker Cory Paix, who will start in the No.9 jumper against the Titans, had been re-signed on a two-year deal through to the end of 2028, while Payne Haas has been named to make his comeback from a shoulder concern.
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