A product of Roma, Brent Tate rebounded in 2004 from a frightening shoulder injury to once again establish himself as one of the NRL’s elite centres.

Tate made his debut with Brisbane in 2001 and his ability was quickly noted by Queensland selectors, who included him in the Maroons side the following season.

He took his career one step further later that year, completing a rapid rise from rookie club footballer to international when he made his Test debut in Australia’s lopsided win over Great Britain.

Tate was once again an integral part of the Brisbane and Queensland backline in 2003 but missed the end of the NRL season and the Kangaroo tour with a severe shoulder injury.

The Queenslander returned in 2004 to regain his Queensland and Australian jerseys, playing in the Anzac Test against the Kiwis.

He also toured with the Kangaroos for the Tri Nations tournament in England and retained his place in the Australian side with another solid season for the Broncos in 2005.

Still in his early 20s, Tate possesses deadly speed and an old-fashioned swerve. He looks set to remain an elite centre for the next decade.