Warriors Vs Dolphins: Jacob Laban Returns Home for Anzac Clash
warriors vs dolphins is set to carry extra emotion in Wellington on Saturday, with Jacob Laban named on the interchange bench for the NZ Warriors at Hnry Stadium. The 22-year-old second-rower is returning home for the Anzac clash and says it will be his first time playing in front of his family. Laban, who has now played 26 NRL games for the Auckland club, described the moment as a full-circle return after a 2023 trip to the capital when he did not take the field.
Jacob Laban returns home for Warriors Vs Dolphins
Laban said he wanted another chance to play in Wellington after missing out on the field last time the Warriors visited the capital. Three years ago, when the Warriors beat the Newcastle Knights there, he had not yet made his NRL debut. This time, he arrives with experience, momentum and a clear personal milestone in sight as warriors vs dolphins approaches.
The matchup also brings a sharp local edge for Laban, who grew up in Lower Hutt and attended St Bernard’s College before moving to Auckland to finish his schooling and join the Warriors. He noted that his family has so far come through the recent foul weather in the region without major problems, after bridges were closed when floodwater rose during flash flooding.
What Laban said before the clash
“In ’23, I was there for a community trip, ” Laban recalled. “I said to myself, next time I get the opportunity to be in Wellington, I wanted to play. ” He added: “Now I’m living out those dreams. It is a full-circle moment and I’m happy to be back. ”
He also said: “It’s been a while since I’ve been home and it will be my first time playing in front of my family. ” On his family’s safety during the recent weather, Laban said: “So far, so good. I haven’t heard any tragedies or bad accidents. ”
Memories from previous Warriors Vs Dolphins meetings
Laban’s recent history against the Dolphins has been mixed. Last May, he scored his first NRL try and the gamewinner in a 16-12 Warriors win over the Brisbane side at Suncorp Stadium. Three months later, in a 20-18 loss at Go Media Stadium, he suffered a broken leg after a hip-drop tackle from Dolphins veteran Felise Kaufusi, ending his season early.
That injury changed his off-season focus, with Laban saying the rehab was fast and demanding. He said one lesson he took from the setback was the need to be fitter on the field, and he used the off-season to work on that.
What comes next for the Warriors
For the Warriors, warriors vs dolphins is more than another squad announcement. It is a chance for Laban to add to his 26-game tally in front of home family and reconnect a personal journey that has already included triumph, injury and recovery. With Hnry Stadium set for Saturday, the spotlight now turns to whether the young forward can turn a return home into another meaningful night in the Anzac clash.
