The Sydney Morning Herald
· collected 2026-09-17 · by Christian Nicolussi
Dane Gagai discusses his physical struggle after a tough match against Latrell Mitchell during the NRL season. Despite feeling sore from the encounter, Gagai is determined to play in Newcastle’s semi-final against the New Zealand Warriors, emphasizing the importance of not backing down against formidable opponents like Mitchell. The article highlights Gagai's respect for Mitchell's abilities while also touching on his career journey and influential mentorship by Wayne Bennett.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Dane Gagai, a 35-year-old veteran rugby player from Newcastle, faced an intense match-up against Latrell Mitchell of Brisbane during a game last Friday. Despite Gagai's outstanding performance, he was still feeling significant physical effects over three days later. In an interview, Gagai acknowledged the challenge posed by Mitchell, noting his friend’s impressive athleticism and size—standing at six foot three inches and weighing 105kg—and stated that giving Mitchell any momentum could result in a devastating impact on the game.
Gagai emphasized he couldn't afford to take a step back during their confrontation because doing so would leave him vulnerable. He praised Mitchell, saying his teammate's ability on the field was "nothing short of amazing," and recognized that every center faces a significant challenge when going up against such an athlete like Mitchell. Despite feeling soreness, Gagai remains committed to performing well for Newcastle in their upcoming semi-final match against the New Zealand Warriors just nine days after his grueling encounter with Mitchell.
Written for “NRL Player Rivalry” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Dane Gagai gave the impression he would need all nine days to recover from his running battle with Latrell Mitchell in time for Newcastle’s semi-final against the New Zealand Warriors.
asserted
he → give → Warriors
The 35-year-old was outstanding in his match-up with Mitchell last Friday, but was still feeling the physical affects more than three days later.
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old → feel → affects
“I was pretty sore Saturday,” Gagai said.
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Gagai → say → ?
“[But] you’re always worse the second day, and even though we had Monday off, which was nice, I was still feeling it.
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I → ’re → it
“I saw the interview with Latrell after the game and how he said it was refreshing and good to have that battle.
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it → see → battle
“He’s a phenomenal athlete.
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He → ’ → ?
I’ll never be 105kg, six foot three and be able to run and move like him at that size.
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I → run → size
I could probably get to the weight, but I’d be no good.
uncertain
I → get → weight
“With someone like Latrell, every centre in the game knows who they are coming up against that week, and they’ve got a job ahead of them.
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they → know → them
“I couldn’t take a backward step.
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I → take → step
If you give ‘Trell’ any momentum, he’ll tear you apart.
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he → give → you
I couldn’t let my teammates down.
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I → let → teammates
After throwing everything at his good friend, Gagai insisted he had plenty in the tank for Sunday’s do-or-die clash at a rocking Eden Park in Auckland, where he will take on Adam Pompey, or Leka Halasima should he overcome a hamstring injury.
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he → throw → injury
“If anything, it’s a case of that [the Mitchell showdown] is ticked off, now you’re on to the next one; I’m even more excited for this next challenge,” Gagai said.
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Gagai → ’ → challenge
“It’s not hard to get yourself up when you know a loss means your season is done.”
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season → ’ → yourself
Defeat in Auckland will not only spell the end of Newcastle’s season, but also Gagai’s time in the city, with the representative centre to return home to Brisbane.
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centre → spell → Brisbane
He only has a one-year deal with the Broncos, but is already open to a second season, Mitchell conceding in a post-match interview on Friday: “I reckon he can go around another two seasons, the old fella”.
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he → have → Friday
Gagai made his debut in the opening round of the 2011 season, when Darren Lockyer was Broncos skipper.
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Lockyer → make → season
During a lengthy and successful career, Gagai has played with some of the greats, including Queensland legends Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston, Mitchell and Sam Burgess at South Sydney, and Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga.
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Gagai → play → Sydney
But the person he describes as the most influential figure in his career was the man sitting in the losing coaches box last Friday night – and the man who lured him away from Red Hill to Newcastle in 2012 – Wayne Bennett.
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who → describe → 2012
Gagai was struggling to force his way into the Broncos team at the start of the 2012 season, had interest from the Bulldogs and Penrith, as well as the Queensland Reds, only for Bennett to convince him to move to the Hunter.
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Bennett → struggle → Hunter
Gagai recalls one of their first conversations, in the car park at the Knights’ old training base in Mayfield, and how Bennett took more interest in Gagai sorting out his life off the field than worrying about on-field performances.
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Gagai → recall → performances
“The biggest influence on my career would be Wayne,” Gagai said.
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Gagai → say → career
“I remember that year [2012].
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I → remember → year
I was playing for the Redcliffe Dolphins in Cairns.
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I → play → Cairns
We’d played against Northern Pride, went out and had a big night.
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We → play → night
I was feeling dusty the next day at the airport when Wayne called.
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Wayne → feel → airport
“I played 74 games straight for Newcastle when I got there, and it was due to Wayne giving me that confidence and backing me to do it.”
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Wayne → play → it
Bennett said on Thursday about Gagai: “They [Brisbane] let him go because they said he was overweight and a poor trainer – he’s one of the best trainers I’ve coached, and he was never late.
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he → say → trainers
“He’s matured, and even though I haven’t been with him a few years, I’ve seen his leadership has improved.
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leadership → mature → him
“He’s such a good player.
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He → ’ → ?
He’s got that never-say-die attitude, and it’s remarkable for his age what he does.”
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he → get → what
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