Rugby League: Laiseni still learning but ready for graduation

It Might be a reference to his last name but you could be forgiven for thinking the 'L' imprinted on Toshio Laiseni's front tooth was like a learner's plate.

In many ways, it's as if the 19-year-old fullback has just received his licence considering today's trial against the Parramatta Eels will be only his second game in a Warriors jersey. It's also a coincidence the part-time league player is completing an automotive engineering course at Manukau Institute of Technology.

Laiseni hopes his second game will be more successful than his first - he played well in a trial game against St George/Illawarra last year, but a shoulder injury kept him out for the rest of the season.

"I'm a bit nervous because it's my first time in this team, especially with guys like Stacey Jones in the side," Laiseni said.

"I didn't expect to be in the team and I only found out on Wednesday after training when someone said it was in the paper. I thought they were lying."

Although Laiseni will do well to keep regular fullback Brent Webb out of the starting line-up once the season starts against the Manly Sea Eagles at Ericsson Stadium on March 13, he's hoping to emulate team-mate Jerome Ropati, who was given a chance at the end of the 2003 season. Ropati played 11 games during last year's campaign.

"I hope to follow in Jerome's footsteps," Laiseni said. "He trains hard so I try to do what he does. I've also talked to guys like Jerome about what your first game is like."

As far as coach Tony Kemp is concerned, Laiseni is in his top squad of 25 players for the 2005 season. Kemp showed his hand somewhat with the announcement of his squad to face the Eels in New Plymouth today, saying it was important the Warriors won the match to build confidence ahead of the new NRL season.

"It's a trial but we're treating it as a game we should be winning," he said. "We must go into the new season with a winning culture.

"I'm not hiding a lot and I said if you were in the squad for the first game in new Plymouth, then you were right in the frame for the first game of the season."

Kemp said Simon Mannering and Misi Taulapapa would play in the second trial game against an invitational side on February 27, and he hopes new signings Steven Price and Nathan Fien will have recovered from niggling injuries.

The Eels include Kiwi prop Nathan Cayless and former Warriors Marcus Perenara and Peter Lewis.

WARRIORS: Laiseni, Baxter, Martin, Meli, Byrne, Ropati, Hohaia, Tuimavave, Anderson, Villasanti, Lauaki, Guttenbeil, Koopu. Reserves: Paleaaesina, Temata, Webb, Toopi, Betham, Jones, Wiki.

- Herald on Sunday