\u201cI feel like the game\u2019s evolving, everyone\u2019s getting fitter, everyone\u2019s getting faster,\u201d Laban said. \u201cYou don\u2019t really see many big boppers anymore, but my fitness was the main focus.<\/p>\n
Jacob Laban. Photo \/ Photosport.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still young and coming through, learning the game a bit and that, but just backing myself, remembering to back myself in those times.\u201d<\/p>\n
Laban said he found out he\u2019d be starting earlier in the week and he was left speechless by the news.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was pretty shocked in a good way at first,\u201d Laban said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to be too cocky here, but I felt like I just backed myself at training and just ripped in through preseason.<\/p>\n
\u201cWebby [Webster] told me, \u2018you\u2019re going to be starting,\u2019 and I almost didn\u2019t know what to say. But then also I knew I had a big job to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Webster said Laban\u2019s preseason efforts made the decision to start him an easy one.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s hardly missed a rep this preseason,\u201d Webster said. \u201cHe\u2019s probably been one of our best trainers, if not our best one.<\/p>\n
\u201cJakey [Laban] will be really happy to get that round one start spot, but also know that he\u2019s ambitious and he\u2019ll look at his game and realise he can get even better. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the cool thing about young guys – they don\u2019t have to be perfect yet, but if they\u2019re searching for improvement then they\u2019re the ones you want to have around.\u201d<\/p>\n
With Marata Niukore due back from injury for Friday\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n