Australian rugby league player Dane Gagai does not plan to retire after his 2027 contract
In Australia, 35-year-old rugby league player Dane Gagai said he does not plan to retire after his contract for next year, when he moves from the Newcastle Knights to the Brisbane Broncos. The player, who is in his 16th year in the National Rugby League (NRL), stressed that he and his family will make the decision on ending his playing career.
As ABC News Australia reports, Gagai has played 336 top-grade matches and holds the Australian rugby league record for the most games among backline players. He has played 238 matches for the Newcastle Knights and ranks fourth in the club's history in this category.
Contract with Brisbane
Next year, Gagai will return to the Brisbane Broncos, for whom he has not played for almost 16 years. He said he wants to make the most of his time in the sport and not later regret insufficient commitment in training or matches.
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This season, Gagai ranked eighth in the NRL for opposition tackle busts, while among centres only Herbie Farnworth was ahead of him. Two years ago, he set a personal record for line breaks in a season, and a year earlier for average metres gained per match.
Playoff match against South Sydney
On Friday, Newcastle will play an elimination match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. For some of the Knights' young players, it will be their debut in the finals series. Gagai advised his teammates to prepare thoroughly for the game, including paying attention to sleep and nutrition, and to trust their own abilities despite their nerves.
In this match, Gagai will have to face South Sydney's left edge, where Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker play. The rugby league player said he cannot control his opponents' actions, but can influence his own preparation, decisions and actions on the field.
