Jai Whitbread (born 16 January 1998) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop and loose forward for Hull KR in the Super League.
He has previously played for the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL.
Background
Whitbread was born in Tugun, Queensland, Australia and raised in Tweed Heads, New South Wales.
He played his junior rugby league for the South Tweed Bears. He attended Saint Joseph's College, Tweed Heads and The Southport School before being signed by the Gold Coast Titans. He is the son of former Canterbury Bulldogs and Gold Coast Giants/Seagulls player, Greg Whitbread.[2]
Playing career
Early career
In 2014, while a member of the Gold Coast Titans high performance squad, Whitbread represented the New South Wales Under-16 team.[3][4] In 2016, he joined the Brisbane Broncos, playing for their Holden Cup (Under-20s) team and representing New South Wales Under-18s team.[5]
2018
Whitbread began the season playing for the Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Cup.
In round 18 of the 2018 NRL season, Whitbread made his NRL debut for the Gold Coast against the Sydney Roosters. This would be Whitbread's only top grade appearance for the club in 2018. The Gold Coast would go on to finish in 14th position on the table at the end of the season.[6]
2019
Whitbread made a total of 18 appearances for the Gold Coast in the 2019 NRL season as the club endured a horror year on and off the field. During the halfway mark of the season, head coach Garth Brennan was sacked by the club after a string of poor results. The Gold Coast managed to win only four games for the entire season and finished last claiming the Wooden Spoon.[7][8]
2020
Whitbread played nine games for the Gold Coast in the 2020 NRL season as the club finished ninth on the table and missed the finals.[9]
2021
On 2 August 2021, it was reported that he had signed for Leigh in the Super League.[10] On 24 November 2021 it was reported that he had signed for Wakefield Trinity in the Super League.[11]
2023
Whitbread played 16 games for Wakefield Trinity in the Super League XXVIII season as the club finished bottom of the table and were relegated to the RFL Championship which ended their 24-year stay in the top flight.[12]
On 3 October 2023 it was reported that he had signed for Hull KR following the relegation of Wakefield Trinity.[13]
2024
Whitbread made his club debut for Hull Kingston Rovers against arch-rivals Hull F.C. in round 1 of the 2024 Super League season. Hull Kingston Rovers would win the match 22-0.[14] On 12 October, Whitbread played in Hull Kingston Rovers 2024 Super League Grand Final loss against Wigan.[15]
References
- ^ Rugby League Project
- ^ Webeck, Tony (14 November 2017). "Titans buy up big on local produce". NRL. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
- ^ "Kane's special support base". Titans. 28 March 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
- ^ "NSW Under 16 - Team Announcement". NSWRL. 20 May 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
- ^ "NSW Under-18s Team Announcement". NSWRL. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
- ^ "Gold Coast Titans 2018 season review". NRL. 18 October 2018.
- ^ "The Titans are full of 'hot air'. Their latest blunder proves it". Adelaide Now.
- ^ "Gold Coast Titans sack coach Garth Brennan". The Guardian. 14 July 2019.
- ^ "Former captain Tyrone Roberts shown the door by Gold Coast Titans". www.foxsports.com.au. 12 October 2020.
- ^ "Sam Stone & Jai Whitbread: Leigh Centurions sign Gold Coast Titans pair". BBC Sport. 2 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
- ^ "Wakefield confirm signing of Australian forward Jai Whitbread". Love Rugby League. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ "Super League: Wakefield Trinity relegated after loss at Leigh Leopards, St Helens and Wigan Warriors win". www.skysports.com.
- ^ "Hull KR win race for Wakefield Trinity forward Jai Whitbread as another exits Super League club". Total RL. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- ^ "Hull FC 0-22 Hull KR - Rovers win season opener as hosts have two sent off". www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Wigan v Hull KR: Super League Grand Final 2024 – as it happened". www.theguardian.com.