One New Zealand Warriors second rower Jacob Laban has capped a momentous season by being named in the New South Wales Cup Team of the Year.
The imposing 20-year-old Wellingtonian’s season was highlighted by his NRL debut for the club against South Sydney in round five.
As Warrior #286 he made seven first-grade appearances culminating in him being named the club’s NRL rookie of the year.
After breaking into the New South Wales Cup when he was still 18 last season, Laban played 17 times for the Warriors in 2023 and this year made 15 appearances, playing the full 80 minutes in all but two of them.
Averaging 107 metres and 29 tackles a game, he scored eight tries, made six line breaks and 71 tackle breaks.
NSW CUP TEAM OF THE YEAR
1 Jake Toby (North Sydney Bears)
2 Savelio Tamale (St George Illawarra Dragons)
3 James Schiller (Canberra Raiders)
4 Tyrone Peachey (Penrith Panthers)
5 Watson Heleta (Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles)
6 Will Pryce (Newcastle Knights)
7 Adam Cook (Canberra Raiders)
8 Kurt De Luis (North Sydney Bears)
9 Jayden Berrell (Newtown Jets)
10 Jordan Grant (Penrith Panthers)
11 Jacob Laban (One New Zealand Warriors)
12 Billy Burns (Newtown Jets)
13 Hohepa Puru (Canberra Raiders)
