Rugby codes chase schoolboy star
Rugby codes chase schoolboy star
August 04, 2008
THE Brisbane Broncos are hoping to win the race to sign impressive high school student Dane Gagai, who is also in the sights of the Queensland Reds and other NRL clubs.
Gagai's father, Ray, an electrifying winger from Mackay who represented Queensland country in the eighties, was recruited by the Broncos in 1989.
He never played a game because at the time Brisbane were blessed with wingers such as Michael Hancock, Joe Kilroy and Willie Carne.
Brisbane have interviewed the 17 year-old centre, a relative of Wendell Sailor who is captain of the first XV at Brisbane Boys' College.
It's understood he's also considering approaches from the Cowboys and the Reds and will make his decision by the end of the month.
Football manager Peter Nolan said the Broncos were keen to attract young Gagai to the club straight out of high school.
Brisbane, who have had their eye on Gagai for 18 months, interviewed him last month.
"He's very talented and an exceptionally level-headed young kid," said Nolan.
"He's done very good at school since BBC brought him down from Mackay."
A current member of the Queensland Reds national training squad, Gagai has not made up his mind between league and rugby.
"I've had offers from rugby and league, but I'm not sure what I'm going to do," Gagai said recently.
"I'm going to finish the rugby season and make a decision then."
Gagai has excelled as a student since joining BBC on an indigenous scholarship program during year 10.
His name heads an honour board of 200 students who've made the greatest improvements in their academic achievements this year.
"He's a lovely, good quality kid and BBC deserve a big rap for what they've done for him," said Nolan.
"We're going to do our best and hope we get him."
