Few NRL players command respect like a centre who’s been bending defensive lines for 15 years. Dane Gagai, born in Mackay, Queensland, on 3 January 1991, has done exactly that across 300-plus games for three clubs. Between his dual Aboriginal and Māori heritage, a late-career contract extension, and a growing family, there’s plenty to track — especially for Knights fans wondering what’s next.

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Age: 35 years (born 3 Jan 1991) · Position: Centre · Current team: Newcastle Knights · NRL debut: 2011 for Brisbane Broncos · NRL games: 300+

Quick snapshot

1Background
2Club Career
  • Brisbane Broncos (2011–2013) (Knights official profile)
  • South Sydney Rabbitohs (2014–2016, 2022) (Knights official profile)
  • Newcastle Knights (2017–2021, 2023–present) (Knights official profile)
3Representative Career
  • Queensland State of Origin debut in 2020 (NRL.com)
  • Prime Minister’s XIII appearances (NRL.com)
  • Indigenous All Stars representative (NRL.com)
4Personal Life
  • Married to Tahlia (later reported as Kelly) (NRL.com)
  • Three children: Dante, Cruz, Aiyana (NRL.com)
  • Active in community and Indigenous programs (NRL.com)

The nine key facts below capture the essentials of Dane Gagai’s career and personal profile.

Label Value
Full name Dane Gagai
Born 3 January 1991
Place of birth Mackay, Queensland, Australia
Height 182 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 94 kg
Position Centre
Junior club Mackay Brothers
NRL debut 2011 for Brisbane Broncos
Teams Brisbane Broncos (2011–2013), South Sydney Rabbitohs (2014–2016, 2022), Newcastle Knights (2017–2021, 2023–present)

What stands out: Gagai has switched clubs four times yet remained a first-choice centre for over a decade — a rarity in the modern NRL.

Is Dane Gagai Aboriginal or Maori?

What is Dane Gagai’s ethnic background?

  • Dane Gagai is of Aboriginal and Māori descent. His Aboriginal heritage links to the Birri Gubba and South Sea Islander communities (NRL.com (rugby league’s governing body news)).
  • He has also been identified as having Torres Strait Islander heritage through his father’s family (LinkedIn public profile).

How does Dane Gagai identify culturally?

Gagai has publicly said he wants to “represent both sides of my family” and has taught his son Dante to perform the haka (NRL.com). The pattern: Gagai actively celebrates his dual heritage, both on and off the field.

Why this matters

By embracing both Aboriginal and Māori traditions, Gagai becomes a bridge between two Indigenous cultures — a role that resonates strongly with the NRL’s Reconciliation Action Plan.

Why did Dane Gagai leave Broncos?

What led to his departure from Brisbane?

Gagai left the Broncos after the 2013 season. Limited opportunities and a desire for more game time drove the move. He signed with the South Sydney Rabbitohs (Wikipedia).

What was his time at the Broncos like?

Despite making his NRL debut for Brisbane in 2011, Gagai was unable to cement a regular starting spot. His departure was amicable, and he has spoken positively about his development there.

The trade-off: leaving Brisbane opened the door to a more prominent role, but it meant leaving the club that gave him his first shot.

Is Dane Gagai leaving Knights?

What is the latest on Gagai’s contract with Newcastle?

In July 2025, the Newcastle Knights confirmed Gagai had agreed to extend his contract for a further year (Newcastle Knights (official club news)). ESPN reported the one-year extension came after he was off contract at the end of 2025 (ESPN (sports news outlet)).

Has he signed a new deal for 2025?

Yes. The extension means Gagai will remain a Knight at least through the 2026 season. Earlier rumours of him seeking a new deal after a reported rejection proved unfounded; all official indications point to him staying at Newcastle.

The upshot

At 34, Gagai secured another year in the NRL — a vote of confidence from the Knights’ coaching staff that he still has high-level football left in him.

How many kids does Dane Gagai have?

Who is Dane Gagai’s wife or partner?

Gagai is married to Tahlia (later publicly referred to as Kelly in a 2025 NRL.com feature). The couple have three children: Dante, Cruz, and Aiyana (NRL.com (rugby league news)).

What are the names of his children?

  • Dante
  • Cruz
  • Aiyana

Gagai often shares family moments on social media, and his son Dante made his ballboy debut at Magic Round in 2025 (NRL.com). Family is central to his identity off the pitch.

What is Dane Gagai’s injury status?

What recent injuries has Dane Gagai suffered?

Gagai dealt with a hamstring issue in 2024 but managed to return to form. The Knights’ medical staff provide regular updates (Zero Tackle (NRL stats and news site)).

How have injuries affected his career?

Despite a few setbacks, Gagai has maintained strong availability over 300 NRL games — a testament to his durability. In 2025 he even shifted to fullback late in the season, earning praise from Fox NRL (FOX NRL Facebook).

Timeline

  • — Born in Mackay, Queensland
  • — NRL debut for Brisbane Broncos
  • — Left Broncos, joined South Sydney Rabbitohs
  • — Left Souths, joined Newcastle Knights
  • — State of Origin debut for Queensland
  • — Returned to Newcastle Knights after one season at Souths
  • — Signed new contract with Knights (reported) (Newcastle Knights)

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Dane Gagai is of Aboriginal and Māori descent
  • He has three children with wife Tahlia/Kelly
  • He debuted in NRL in 2011
  • He has played for Broncos, Rabbitohs, and Knights
  • His position is centre
  • He made State of Origin debut in 2020

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth
  • Final details of 2025 contract
  • Specific injury recovery timeline in 2024
  • Whether he will retire at Knights

Key quotes

“I would love to be able to represent both sides of my family.”

— Dane Gagai, quoted in NRL.com

The Newcastle Knights confirmed they had agreed to extend Gagai’s contract for a further year, securing the veteran centre’s services beyond 2025.

— Newcastle Knights official news

Dane Gagai’s career is a case study in resilience: from limited opportunities at the Broncos to a 300-game veteran with a new contract at 34. For the Newcastle Knights, the decision to extend him is a clear bet on experience and cultural leadership — either he provides a steady hand in a rebuilding squad, or the club leans into youth. Either way, Gagai has already secured his legacy as one of the most durable centres of his generation.

Related reading

Additional sources

reddit.com, reddit.com, nrl.com, newcastleknights.com.au

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Frequently asked questions

What teams has Dane Gagai played for?

Brisbane Broncos (2011–2013), South Sydney Rabbitohs (2014–2016, 2022), Newcastle Knights (2017–2021, 2023–present).

How many State of Origin games has Dane Gagai played?

He made his Queensland debut in 2020 and has played multiple games since; exact counts are updated seasonally on official NRL sites.

What is Dane Gagai’s height?

182 cm (6 ft 0 in).

Does Dane Gagai have any siblings?

Publicly available information does not detail siblings beyond occasional social media mentions.

What is Dane Gagai’s Instagram handle?

He is active on Instagram, but the exact handle is not verified for this article.

How many NRL tries has Dane Gagai scored?

He has scored over 90 NRL tries across his career; the exact total updates weekly on NRL.com.

What was Dane Gagai’s lowest career point?

While not publicly specified, he has shared mental health challenges in a headspace video (headspace / YouTube).