Latest news with #JacobLaban
NZ Herald
25-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Warriors v Raiders: NRL live updates from round 12 clash
All the action live as the Warriors host the Raiders in their round 12 NRL clash in Auckland. Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 22. Ali Leiataua, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Luke Metcalf, 10. Bunty Afoa, 9. Wayde Egan, 12. Marata Niukore, 11. Leka Halasima, 4. Kurt Capewell (c), 13. Erin Clark. Interchange: 8. Jackson Ford, 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Demetric Vaimauga, Reserve: 21. Tanah Boyd. Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes, 2. Savelio Tamale, 3. Matthew Timoko, 4, Sebastian Kris, 5. Xavier Savage, 6. Ethan Strange, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Corey Horsburgh, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joseph Tapine (c), 11. Simi Sasagi, 12. Zac Hosking, 13. Morgan Smithies. Interchange: 14 Owen Pattie, 15. Noah Martin, 16. Josh Papalii, 17. Ata Mariota. Reserve: 18. Jed Stuart Warriors re-sign Leka Halasima, Jacob Laban on long-term deals The Warriors have moved swiftly to re-sign promising duo Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban on long-term deals until the end of the 2029 NRL season. Halasima wasn't off contract until 2027 and Laban in 2026 but the Warriors have moved early to keep them at the club, with two new teams, the Perth Bears and a Papua New Guinea-based franchise, entering the competition in 2027 and 2028 respectively. Both players debuted in the NRL last year, with Halasima featuring in every match this season, starting in the last five, while Laban has featured four times. 'It's so exciting for us seeing Leka and Jacob signed for so long,' said Warriors coach Andrew Webster. 'We're really proud of them and what they've already achieved. We have so much belief in them and they're paying that back with their performances.' Halasima, 19, produced a stunning performance in the Warriors' 26-24 win over the Wests Tigers last month, scoring a solo 70m try which ultimately proved to be the game winner. Laban, 21, scored his first NRL try in last week's 16-12 win over the Dolphins. Both players have been named to face the Canberra Raiders on Sunday. Andrew McFadden, Warriors general manager of recruitment, pathways and development, said it was a 'significant moment'. 'It reinforces what we are working towards in making this a development club, building it around players we are bringing through from the local game. 'Leka and Jacob are terrific examples of the talent in New Zealand while also showing off the opportunities available through our pathways.' Last month, the Warriors re-signed fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad until the end of the 2027 NRL season, while also signing Morgan Gannon from Leeds Rhinos and five-eighth Jye Linnane from the Newcastle Knights, on three year deals. Meanwhile the Warriors have confirmed centre Moala Graham-Taufa will leave at the end of the season. The 23-year-old has signed a one-year deal with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
RNZ News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NZ Warriors secure young forwards Leka Halasima, Jacob Laban through 2029
Leka Halasima has played every minute of his past three outings for the Warriors. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport Warriors v Raiders Kickoff 6pm Sunday, 25 May Go Media Stadium, Auckland Live blog updates on RNZ Sport NZ Warriors have secured two key components of their second-row production line for the future, with youngsters Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban extending their stays at Mt Smart through the 2029 NRL season. The deals make them the longest-contracted players on coach Andrew Webster's roster. Halasima, 19, has been a revelation during the team's 8-2 start to the current campaign, debuting in 2024, carving out a bench role to start this season and ultimately earning promotion to the starting line-up. The powerhouse scored tries in three consecutive games against Wests Tigers, Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos, and has played the full 80 minutes in his past three outings against North Queensland Cowboys, St George Illawarra Dragons and the Dolphins. Laban, 21, also debuted last season and was named Warriors Rookie of the Year, but was sidelined by injury to start 2025. He returned to action against the Broncos last month and scored his first NRL try against the Dolphins last Saturday. "Two local juniors that we're really proud of," Webster said. "Everyone's proud of their development, everyone's had a lot to do with it. "They've given themselves every opportunity to show what their talent it and when you've got guys working hard like that, you get to see how brilliant they are. "Rapt for the boys, rapt for the club and I think our fans will be unbelievably excited by that. Jacob Laban celebrates his first NRL try against the Dolphins. Photo: DAVE HUNT "We just want them to keep being grounded and keep working hard. They're going to be a huge part of the club's success going forward." The pair join Demitric Vaimauga, 21, who is signed through 2028, while a fourth young forward - Tanner Stowers-Smith, 21 - stepped up to first grade against the Dolphins and is named to return this week against Canberra Raiders. "He looked like he had been there for a long time," Webster recalled. "He's a guy that's worked really hard. "I find his fundamentals so reliable and then he adds a punch. In his first game of NRL, when it got hard, his motors stood up too - that's the first thing that often goes. "He's one for the future and we love the fact he's a Christchurch boy too. A lot of people are critical that we don't develop the game down there, but we've got more than 17 guys in our system that are from the South Island. "It's great for him to debut for the club." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
