He’s currently known to most rugby league fans as Latrell Mitchell’s brother, but Shaquai has his own tale to tell.
It wasn’t too long ago that he tipped the scales at 175 kilograms. That’s about 50 more than the heaviest forward running around in the NRL these days.
Now he weighs in at 120 – a stunning 55kg shred in the space of only a couple of years.
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He admits to Nine News that his body size was a result of mental health issues.
“Looking at those photos now, I’m just so grateful the road I went through,” he says.
“Just looking at my family, my family saw me and they were suffering too.
“I didn’t see it until I looked at my daughter’s eyes, and it broke my heart. That’s something I’ve got to live with the rest of my life.
“But I’m making up for that broken time.”
Shaq was briefly signed by the Roosters when his younger brother Latrell was there, the latter winning two NRL premierships with the Bondi club.
Now the pair are training together at South Sydney.
Shaq isn’t in the NRL squad, but this week he will run out for the Indigenous All Stars against the Maori side in the showpiece pre-season event at Commbank Stadium.
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His selection was a surprise to himself as much as anyone else. Indigenous coach Laurie Daley has never seen Shaq play.
He doesn’t know how far his rugby league journey will take him, but he’s enjoying the ride.
“Wherever it takes me, I’m happy,” he said.
“I’m actually fulfilling a regret that I’ve had for the past few years. It’s the hard road, but I’m taking it and I’m loving every minute of it.”
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