Patrick Herbert capped off his remarkable journey on Sunday, making his return to the NRL after a three-year hiatus and played a key role in the Wests Tigers climbing to equal first on the ladder.
Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
In a story filled with emotion, Herbert admitted that there were times when his belief began to waver about whether he would ever get another opportunity to play in the NRL.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Despite this, his hunger to return never disappeared and he finally got the chance to live out his lifelong dream again against the Newcastle Knights on Sunday afternoon at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
After years away from the top level, he showed little sign of rust and had 176 running metres, two line-breaks, one try assists and even managed to cross the line for a try in the side’s 20-point victory.
“As the days got further from my last game, I sort of lost that expectation that I’ve still got it,” Herbert said.
“I was always hungry for it. It was just that the days got further away and you sort of don’t expect it as much.
“Then when it hit me [a call from Benji Marshall] it was good and I knew it was sort of my last-ditch effort at it.
“Me and Bagz [Benji] are from Whakatane too, so to come here and have something in common with the coach and Starry [Starford To’a] we grew up on the same street, it was a good sort of club to come to.
“And with the standard so high, I’m glad I came here.”
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
‘Unacceptable’: Benji honest despite win | 07:23
From the same town in New Zealand as Herbert, Marshall revealed following the club’s win against the Knights that he saw him competing in a Maori tournament and decided to give him a train-and-trial opportunity.
This later progressed to a two-year contract and the former Warriors and Titans centre will be on the club’s books until at least the end of 2027, providing further depth in the outside back stocks.
“I was actually watching a Maori tournament on YouTube and he was playing for a team that I had no idea who they were,” Marshall said.
“I thought ‘is that Patrick Herbert?’. So I watched him play, man of the match and then I have him a text and said ‘what are you up to?’. He said ‘nothing’ and I said ‘well come on a train-and-trial’.
“Then he trained really good in pre-season and impressed all the boys with his work rate and his effort and we rewarded him with a contract.
“So a great story, I thought he was outstanding tonight. I thought he did his job perfectly. It’s a testament to our leaders in our group that we have someone (who) falls out of the team.
“And he can just step in and do his job. So really happy for him. It’s been four years since he played NRL, so to come back from a torn Achilles, ACL and put in the hard work.”
Herbert was driving an excavator in Wollongong when he got the call from Marshall.
“All the boys I was working with, there was a Tigers supporter in there and I just got off,” he added.
“We were on smoko (break) and I go, you wouldn’t believe it. That’s sort of how it all unfolded, then four days later I was here.”
Herbert has made the most of his opportunity. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Herbert’s return marked a significant milestone in what has been a long and testing return to first-grade.
Previously playing 21 matches for the New Zealand Warriors and 38 games for the Gold Coast Titans between 2019 and 2022, what most people don’t know is that he landed a deal to play overseas.
Recovering from a knee injury, Herbert was granted a release from the Titans in March of 2023 and was due to head to Europe to play in the Super League before he ruptured his Achilles.
This put a halt to his career and he was in limbo as it looked like he had played his final professional rugby league match.
“Before I ruptured my Achilles,” Herbert said.
“I think I got cleared 14 months after doing my knee and probably three weeks before I was about to go over to the Super League I did my Achilles.
“It was just very unfortunate but everything happens for a reason.”
During that difficult period, the ex-Maori All Stars representative leaned heavily on his support network, particularly his fiancée, who helped stabilise their life off the field while he focused on his recovery and rehabilitation.
“(She was) very important. As soon as that last contract rolled over we needed to find ways to replace our cost of living,” he added.
“We ended up buying a hair salon and she took the reins from there while I was trying to get right.
“I sort of went back to work a bit early but it all works out in the end. It was all necessary.”