'Replicate the same thing with Mum': Gagai’s World Cup dream with the Kiwis

Sport Nation • November 11th, 2026 10:07 am

Dane Gagai | Photo: James Gourley/Photosport

After winning the 2017 Rugby League World Cup with Australia, Dane Gagai is chasing glory with New Zealand, and hopes to share the moment with his mother, whose roots are in Auckland.

The 35-year-old who was born in Australia switched allegiances to New Zealand in 2026 after winning the 2017 World Cup with the Kangaroos.

“I was sitting down and I was just thinking how cool would it be if I got a phone call was asked to play for the Kiwis, like I was really just wishful thinking,” he told Sport Nation's Scotty & Izzy.

“Two days later I got the phone call from Adam Blair, asking me if we could make it happen, if I'd be keen on representing New Zealand and for me, that was a bit of a sign.

“I've always wanted to represent New Zealand. I got to watch my cousin, Josh Hoffman, do it.

“We just ended up making it happen and I'm super grateful to represent that side of my family and all the family back home.”

Dane Gagai scores for the Kiwis | Photo: Jason O’Brien/Photosport

And the moment Gagai was presented with his first Kiwis jersey by his mother, Tania, was a moment he will never forget.

“When I got presented my jersey, it was super emotional. Had my family there, my mum, my sister, my dad and brother and my wife and kids.

“My mum was a big part of my career, running me to trainings and getting me to footy carnivals and all that sort of stuff, so to see her when I was given that jersey and for her to present that jersey to me was just a special moment for myself and for her.”

Gagai also said he fondly remembers celebrating Kangaroos’s 2017 triumph with his Australian father, Ray, and wants to create a similar memory with his mother.

“It was in 2017 when I won with Australia and I’ve got a picture of me and my dad holding the trophy, but I want to replicate the same thing with me and mum holding that trophy with the black and white on.

“The dream for me is to be able to win a World Cup."

The Kangaroos claimed the 2017 Rugby League World Cup with the help of Dane Gagai | Photo: Tertius Pickard/Photosport

Looking ahead to the weekend’s final against the Kangaroos, Gagai said the Kiwis would need to stay composed against an opponent capable of snatching a win in the final stages.

“I know they've come a long way since that first game as well, but for us, it was shown in game one that I thought we had a lot of the momentum. I thought were playing a good brand of footy, but they got a lot of players in that team that can kind of create something from nothing.

“You've seen with the tries they scored in that first game, just when you think you're on the front foot, they can just turn it that quick.

“It's just about making sure we try limit those opportunities for them.”

Listen to the full interview below: