Warriors forward Jacob Laban admits he was “pretty shocked” when coach Andrew Webster told him he would start in their NRL season opener against the Sydney Roosters.
It was just Laban’s fifth career start in 20 NRL matches for the Warriors, and the 21-year-old is determined to keep his spotin the side as the season progresses.
He didn’t do any harm on Friday night, as he helped lay the platform for the Warriors as they claimed a stunning 42-18 win in front of a sold-out Go Media Stadium.
For Laban, the performance was both a reward for a strong preseason and a personal milestone after a broken leg at the backend of last year saw him miss the Warriors’ run for the finals.
Speaking to The Big League Podcast, Laban said he was determined to knuckle down after his injury and show why he wants to be a regular in the Warriors side, saying working on his fitness was essential.
“I feel like the game’s evolving, everyone’s getting fitter, everyone’s getting faster,” Laban said. “You don’t really see many big boppers anymore, but my fitness was the main focus.
Jacob Laban. Photo / Photosport.
“I remember in the off-season, I told myself to put my head down, go to work and then get started round one and then win round one. So, hopefully we can carry that through the season.
“I’m still young and coming through, learning the game a bit and that, but just backing myself, remembering to back myself in those times.”
Laban said he found out he’d be starting earlier in the week and he was left speechless by the news.
“I was pretty shocked in a good way at first,” Laban said.
“I don’t want to be too cocky here, but I felt like I just backed myself at training and just ripped in through preseason.
“Webby [Webster] told me, ‘you’re going to be starting,’ and I almost didn’t know what to say. But then also I knew I had a big job to do.”
Webster said Laban’s preseason efforts made the decision to start him an easy one.
“He’s hardly missed a rep this preseason,” Webster said. “He’s probably been one of our best trainers, if not our best one.
“Jakey [Laban] will be really happy to get that round one start spot, but also know that he’s ambitious and he’ll look at his game and realise he can get even better.
“That’s the cool thing about young guys - they don’t have to be perfect yet, but if they’re searching for improvement then they’re the ones you want to have around.”
With Marata Niukore due back from injury for Friday’s clash against the Canberra Raiders in Auckland, there is a chance Laban could drop back to the bench, but his efforts would have given Webster plenty of food for thought.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.
