{{Short description|Australian rugby league footballer}} {{use Australian English |date=April 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox rugby league biography | name = Jason Saab | fullname = | image = Jason Saab.jpg | image_size = | position = {{rlp|WG}} | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|10|08|df=yes}} | birth_place = Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | height = {{convert|199|cm|ftin|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|105|kg|stlb}} | club1 = {{nowrap|St. George Illawarra}} | year1start = 2019 | year1end = 20 | appearances1 = 7 | tries1 = 4 | goals1 = 0 | fieldgoals1 = 0 | points1 = 16 | club2 = {{nowrap|Manly Sea Eagles}} | year2start = 2021 | year2end = present | appearances2 = 110 | tries2 = 74 | goals2 = 0 | fieldgoals2 = 0 | points2 = 296 | teamA = {{nowrap|Prime Minister's XIII}} | yearAstart = 2025 | yearAend = | appearancesA = 1 | triesA = 0 | goalsA = 0 | fieldgoalsA = 0 | pointsA = 0 | new = yes | source = <ref>[https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/jason-saab/summary.html Rugby League Project]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Official NRL Profile of Jason Saab |url=https://www.dragons.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/st-george-illawarra-dragons/jason-saab/ |access-date=23 July 2019 |archive-date=28 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528125148/https://www.dragons.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/st-george-illawarra-dragons/jason-saab/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> | updated = 29 May 2026 }}
'''Jason Saab''' (born 8 October 2000) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|wg}}er for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League. He is known for his lightning quick pace and quick finishing.
He previously played for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL.
==Background== Saab was born in Sydney, New South Wales, and is of Nigerian<ref name="test drive" /> and Indigenous Australian descent. Saab's step-father is Lebanese,<ref>{{cite web|date=20 February 2021|title='Serious set of wheels': Saab ready to roll|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/02/20/serious-set-of-wheels-saab-ready-to-roll/|publisher=NRL.com|access-date=30 March 2021}}</ref> hence his surname.
Saab played his junior rugby league for the Merrylands Rams, for Parramatta City Titans and Carlingford Cougars.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}}
Saab attended Westfields Sports High School.<ref name="test drive">{{Cite news |last=Proszenko |first=Adrian |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/new-model-saab-s-test-drive-leaves-dad-with-mixed-emotions-20190725-p52apr.html |title=New model Saab's test drive leaves dad with mixed emotions |date=2019-07-25 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald|url-access=limited}}</ref> and graduated in 2018. In 2018, Saab was picked for the Australian Schoolboys rugby league team and represented Australia in London, United Kingdom
==Career==
===2019=== Saab made his first grade debut in Round 19 of the 2019 NRL season for the St. George Illawarra Dragons against South Sydney, starting on the wing and scoring two tries in their 20–16 loss in the last minute due to a Campbell Graham try at ANZ Stadium.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-23 |title=Round 19 team announcements |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/07/23/round-19-team-announcements/ |website=NRL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Walter |first=Brad |date=2019-07-26 |title=Rabbitohs steal last-second win over brave Dragons |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/07/26/rabbitohs-steal-last-second-win-over-brave-dragons/ |website=NRL.com}}</ref>
===2020=== In August 2020, Sporting News reported that Saab had sought an early release from his contract due to the traveling distance between Wollongong and his home in Western Sydney. However, St. George Illawarra refused this request unless the club would be compensated either by cash or player transfer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chisholm |first=Ed |date=2020-08-28 |title=Dragons won't budge on Jason Saab release without compensation |language=en-au |work=Sporting News |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/dragons-offer-update-on-wantaway-young-gun-jason-saabs-future/ax5uqk6aunc613y6mor6rr48p |url-status=live |access-date=2020-10-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002050953/https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/dragons-offer-update-on-wantaway-young-gun-jason-saabs-future/ax5uqk6aunc613y6mor6rr48p |archive-date=2020-10-02}}</ref> In September, there was speculation that Saab would be joining the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles as a trade for St. George junior Reuben Garrick.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-09-12 |title=Dragons Finally Set To Grant Saab Release In Sea Eagles Swap Deal, Report |language=en-au |work=Sporting News |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/dragons-finally-set-to-grant-saab-release-in-sea-eagles-swap-deal-report/1mpcsodz2axfg1nb15fegflxvz |url-status=live |access-date=2020-10-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912102613/https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/dragons-finally-set-to-grant-saab-release-in-sea-eagles-swap-deal-report/1mpcsodz2axfg1nb15fegflxvz |archive-date=2020-09-12}}</ref>
Saab made only four appearances for St. George in the 2020 NRL season as the club finished 13th on the table.<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Loughlin |first=Liam |date=2020-10-26 |title=NRL 2020 Season Review: How will your side fare next year? |work=Sporting News |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/nrl-2020-season-review-rugby-league-dragons-broncos-titans-tigers-knights-sharks-roosters-eels-rabbitohs-raiders-panthers-storm/k79lmelm2xgj1ffsf8xh7phob/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026175328/https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/nrl-2020-season-review-rugby-league-dragons-broncos-titans-tigers-knights-sharks-roosters-eels-rabbitohs-raiders-panthers-storm/k79lmelm2xgj1ffsf8xh7phob/ |archive-date=2020-10-26}}</ref>
On 26 November 2020, Saab was granted a release from his contract with St. George and shortly thereafter signed a three-year deal with Manly-Warringah.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/11/27/saab-set-to-link-with-sea-eagles-after-getting-dragons-release/|title=Sea Eagles add wings: Saab, Tuipulotu sign long-term deals|website=www.nrl.com}}</ref>
===2021=== In round 1 of the 2021 NRL season, Saab made his debut for Manly-Warringah in the club's 46–4 loss against the Sydney Roosters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-13/nrl-sydney-roosters-penrith-score-big-first-round-wins/13243368/|title=Sydney Roosters break first-round record with 46-4 win over Manly, Penrith Panthers thump Cowboys 46-4|website=www.abc.net.au}}</ref> In round 6 of the 2021 NRL season, he scored two tries in Manly's 36–0 victory over the Gold Coast.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-17/nrl-eels-canberra-rabbitohs-wests-tigers-sea-eagles-titans/100072470/|title=Parramatta beats Canberra 35-10 as South Sydney, Manly post contrasting NRL wins|website=www.abc.net.au}}</ref>
In round 9 of the 2021 NRL season, Saab scored a hat-trick in Manly's 38–32 victory over New Zealand Warriors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-09/allan-injury-overshadows-dragons-win-manly-edges-warriors/100119808/|title=St George Illawarra beats Canterbury Bulldogs 32-12, Manly defeats New Zealand Warriors 38-32|website=www.abc.net.au}}</ref>
In round 10 of the 2021 NRL season, Saab scored another two tries for Manly-Warringah in a 50–6 victory over Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-14/manly-thrashes-brisbane-tigers-beat-knights-magic-round/100136098/|title=Manly thrashes Brisbane 50-6, Wests Tigers beat Newcastle 36-18 as Magic Round gets under way|website=www.abc.net.au}}</ref>
In round 15, Saab scored two tries for Manly in a 56–24 victory over the Gold Coast.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-20/nrl-manly-beats-gold-coast-parramatta-defeats-canterbury/100215578/|title=Manly Sea Eagles thrash Gold Coast Titans 56-24, Parramatta Eels beat Canterbury Bulldogs 36-10|website=www.abc.net.au}}</ref> The following week, he scored a hat-trick in Manly's 66–0 victory over Canterbury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/07/03/saab-and-turbo-hit-top-gear-as-sea-eagles-cruise-rout-66/|title=Saab and Turbo hit top gear as Sea Eagles cruise Rout 66|website=www.nrl.com}}</ref>
In round 20, Saab scored two tries for Manly in their 40–22 victory over rivals Cronulla in the battle of the beaches match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/08/02/trbojevic-in-a-class-of-his-own-as-sea-eagles-sink-sharks/|title=Trbojevic in a class of his own as Sea Eagles set sights on Storm|website=www.nrl.com}}</ref>
At the end of year club awards night, Jason Saab and Josh Schuster were announced as joint winners of the Ken Arthurson Rising Star Award for 2021 after their strong seasons for Manly.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seaeagles.com.au/news/2021/09/26/tom-trbojevic-wins-sea-eagles-top-award-for-2021/|title=Joint winner of the 2021 Ken Arthurson Rising Star Award|website=seaeagles.com.au}}</ref>
===2022=== In round 18 of the 2022 NRL season, Saab scored two tries in a 42–12 victory over Newcastle.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-16/nrl-roosters-dragons-sea-eagles-knights-titans-broncos/101243300/|title=Brisbane Broncos claim gritty NRL derby win over Gold Coast Titans after Manly Sea Eagles, Sydney Roosters post victories|website=www.abc.net.au}}</ref> Saab was one of seven players involved in the Manly pride jersey player boycott.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/manly-players-threaten-to-boycott-game-over-club-s-gay-pride-jersey-20220725-p5b4fy.html |title=Seven Manly players to boycott NRL match over pride jersey |website=Sydney Morning Herald |date=25 July 2022 |access-date=26 July 2022}}</ref> Saab made 16 appearances for Manly in the 2022 NRL season scoring seven tries. Manly would finish the season in 11th place on the table.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/nrl-2022-manly-sea-eagles-season-review/s7drlzqcamqqwsoxvyiz8ua3/|title=NRL 2022: Manly Sea Eagles season review|website=www.sportingnews.com|access-date=7 October 2022}}</ref>
===2023=== In round 6 of the 2023 NRL season, Saab made his return to the Manly side in their 44–12 loss against Penrith with Saab scoring a second half try.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-08/nrl-panthers-sea-eagles-broncos-raiders/102200900/|title=Brisbane Broncos' unbeaten NRL run ends in 20-14 loss to Canberra as Penrith thrashes Manly 44-12|website=www.abc.net.au}}</ref> In round 25, Saab scored a hat-trick in Manly's 29–22 loss against the New Zealand Warriors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-18/nrl-roosters-eels-warriors-sea-eagles/102750262/|title=Roosters lose James Tedesco in 34-12 NRL win over Eels, Warriors beat Sea Eagles 29-22|website=www.abc.net.au}}</ref> In round 27, Saab scored two tries in Manly's 54–12 victory over the Wooden Spoon side Wests Tigers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/live-nrl-manly-sea-eagles-vs-wests-tigers-live-scores-teams-news-highlights-ladder-preview-anthony-seibold-benji-marshall/news-story/21a2956385e0a0a3c2030faedeb574a1/|title='Brilliant moment': DCE's wholesome Jurbo gift as Manly enforcer shines — Big Hits|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}</ref> Saab played 19 matches for Manly in the 2023 NRL season and scored 14 tries as the club finished 12th on the table and missed the finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-manly-sea-eagles-season-review-anthony-seibold-josh-schuster-salary-tom-trbojevic-positional-changes-tolu-koula-daly-cherryevans-news/news-story/3deeeb674db182b6335fd5a9b2fc4597/|title=The $800k call Seibold must make as Turbo hits NRL crossroads: Sea Eagles Brutal Review|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}</ref>
=== 2024 === Saab played for Manly in the opening game of the 2024 NRL season against South Sydney at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada as part of the NRL in Las Vegas opener for the 2024 season. He scored a long range intercept try before halftime, but near the end of the game suffered a hamstring injury that would ultimately see him miss the next 5 weeks. A caption shown on the television broadcast of the game said that Saab, long believed to be one of the quickest players in the NRL (if not the quickest), had a fastest recorded time of 10.67 for the 100 metre sprint (Manly teammate Tolu Koula holds the NSW GPS (General Public Schools) 100m record at 10.58 set in 2019)<ref>[https://www.nrl.com/news/2024/08/19/let-the-legs-do-the-talking-saab-enters-race-to-be-nrls-fastest-man/ Saab enters race to be NRL's fastest man]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRC2kL68v6U Tolutau Koula breaks 100 m record for school state championships]</ref>
On 4 June 2024, Saab re-signed with Manly until the end of the 2029 season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-04 |title=Boost for Manly as gun winger signs long-term deal |url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-manly-sea-eagles-jason-saab-inks-five-year-extension-20240604-p5jj43.html |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=Nine |language=en}}</ref> In round 18 of the 2024 NRL season, Saab scored a hat-trick in Manly's 21-20 golden point extra-time victory over North Queensland.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/complete-rubbish-rugby-league-great-blasts-controversial-no-try-call/news-story/23fa3deaa81bf56d46ee354277c23722/|title='Complete rubbish': Rugby league great blasts controversial no try call|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}</ref> Saab played 17 matches for Manly in the 2024 NRL season and scored 12 tries as they finished 7th on the table and qualified for the finals. Manly would be eliminated in the second week of the finals by the Sydney Roosters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-the-mole-season-review-manly-sea-eagles-luke-brooks-daly-cherry-evans-exclusive-analysis-20240922-p5kclo.html/|title=The Mole's season review: Luke Brooks 'revels' at Manly Sea Eagles but 30 seconds of horror luck ends season|website=www.nine.com.au}}</ref>
===2025=== In round 11 of the 2025 NRL season, Saab scored two tries for Manly in their 24–6 victory over North Queensland. In round 21, Saab played his 100th first grade game in Manly's heavy loss against Canterbury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2025-north-queensland-cowboys-vs-manly-sea-eagles-live-scores-teams-videos-blog-stream-tom-dearden-daly-cherryevans/news-story/38c71451ede37c29b62087b5782fe2b1/|title=Blues' double blow! Trbojevic injured, star on report as Saab double leads Manly to big win|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}</ref> Saab played 20 games for Manly in the 2025 NRL season as the club finished 10th on the table.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2025-the-mole-manly-sea-eagles-season-review-daly-cherry-evans-haumole-olakauatu-jake-tom-trbojevic-20250909-p5mtsz.html/|title=The Mole's season review: 'Biggest disappointment' in Manly year rocked by 'shock declaration'|website=www.nine.com.au}}</ref>
On 12 October 2025 he made his debut for the Prime Minister's XIII in the 28–10 win over PNG Prime Minister's XIII in Port Moresby<ref>{{cite web|website=FoxSports.au|date=12 Oct 2025|author=Daniel Nuttall|title=Zero for seven?! Aussie's double hat-trick powers PM's XII past PNG despite horrific kicking|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/rugby-league-2025-aus-pm-xiii-v-png-pm-xiii-teams-where-to-watch-start-time-kevin-walters-mitch-moses-rugby-league-news/news-story/b7b5454aadeb76356a021e7e9bbcefa3}}</ref>
===2026=== In round 11 of the 2026 NRL season, Saab scored a hat-trick in Manly's 46-18 win over the Wests Tigers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.totalrl.com/manly-sea-eagles-batter-wests-tigers/|title=Manly beat Wests Tigers|website=www.totalrl.com}}</ref>
== Statistics == {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: right;" |+ !Year !Team !Games !Tries !Pts |- |2019 | rowspan="2" align=left|{{leagueicon|St. George|16}} St. George Illawarra Dragons |3 |3 |12 |- |2020 |4 |1 |4 |- |2021 | rowspan="6" align="left" |{{leagueicon|Manly|16}} Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |27 |26 |104 |- |2022 |16 |7 |28 |- |2023 |19 |14 |56 |- |2024 |17 |12 |48 |- |2025 |20 |10 |40 |- |2026 |3 | | |- | | align="left" |Totals |109 |73 |292 |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.seaeagles.com.au/teams/nrl-premiership/manly-warringah-sea-eagles/jason-saab/ Manly Sea Eagles profile] *[https://www.dragons.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/st-george-illawarra-dragons/jason-saab/ Dragons profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528125148/https://www.dragons.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/st-george-illawarra-dragons/jason-saab/ |date=28 May 2019 }}
{{Manly Sea Eagles squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saab, Jason}} Category:2000 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen Category:21st-century Indigenous Australian people Category:Australian people of Nigerian descent Category:Australian rugby league players Category:Indigenous Australian rugby league players Category:Manly Warringah Sea Eagles players Category:People educated at Westfields Sports High School Category:Prime Minister's XIII players Category:Rugby league players from Sydney Category:Rugby league wingers Category:St. George Illawarra Dragons players