Jamayne Isaako
Isaako playing for the Brisbane Broncos in 2019
Born	(1996-06-05) 5 June 1996 (age 26) Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Height	180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	95 kg (14 st 13 lb)
Position	Wing, Fullback

As of 13 April 2023

Jamayne Isaako (born 5 June 1996) is an Australia-based New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a goal-kicking winger and fullback for the Dolphins in the National Rugby League.

He previously played for the Gold Coast Titans and the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL. At international level, he has played for both New Zealand and Samoa.

Background[edit]

Isaako was born in Christchurch, New Zealand and is of Samoan and Tokelauan descent. He played junior rugby league for the Aranui Eagles.^[3]

Playing career[edit]

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (2014-2015)[edit]

In 2014 and 2015, Isaako played at five-eighth for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks‘ NYC team.^[4] In May 2015, he played for the Junior Kiwis against the Junior Kangaroos in their 34-20 loss at Cbus Super Stadium.^[5]

Brisbane Broncos (2016-2022)[edit]

In 2016, Isaako joined the Brisbane Broncos Under 20’s team in round 9.^[6] In May 2016, he played for the Junior Kiwis against the Junior Kangaroos for a second consecutive year.^[7]

2017[edit]

In 2017, Isaako graduated to the Broncos Queensland Cup team, Souths Logan Magpies. During the season, Isaako’s form for the Magpies prompted Broncos coach Wayne Bennett to debut him in NRL round 19 against the Newcastle Knights, starting at fullback in the 34-22 win at Hunter Stadium.^[8]
^[9] This was Isaako’s only appearance for the Broncos for the 2017 NRL season. However, he continued in the Queensland Cup and was named as fullback in the Intrust Super Cup team of the season.^[10]

2018[edit]

In round 1 against the St George Illawarra Dragons in the 2018 season opening match, Isaako starred as a winger for the Broncos in their 34-12 loss at Jubilee Stadium.^[11] In round 3, the Broncos defeated the Wests Tigers 9-7 at Campbelltown Stadium. In total, Isaako kicked 4 penalty goals, including 1 in golden point extra time, and a field goal. .^[12] In round 6 against the New Zealand Warriors, Isaako scored his first two NRL tries in the Broncos 27-18 win at Mt Smart Stadium.^[13] In Round 11 against the Sydney Roosters, Isaako scored 2 tries and kicked 4 goals, 1 of the tries came from nothing after he was pressured from Roosters defenders after an attempt to kick a field goal, so he stepped around defenders in a razzle dazzle fashion and scored a magnificent try to win the match 28-22 for the Broncos with two minutes to go at Suncorp Stadium.^[14]

On 24 June 2018, Isaako made his international debut for New Zealand against England in the historical test match set in Denver, USA, starting on the wing and kicking 3 goals in the 36-18 loss at Mile High Stadium.^[15]^[16]

After showing excellent form for the Broncos in the NRL, Isaako started at fullback during rounds 19-21, and the incumbent fullback Darius Boyd was shifted to centre. Isaako showed some success as a fullback but went back to the wing for the rest of season.^[17]^[18] On 19 July 2018, Isaako extended his contract…