Player Charlie Gubb

Charlie Gubb

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Gubb is another Vodafone Warrior who cut his teeth on rugby union before switching codes. A Wellington College graduate, Charlie played in the schools’ First XV but switched to rugby league in 2008 and made his start in the Wellington club circuit with University Hunters. He was scouted by the Sea Eagles and Tigers but chose to keep his talents on this side of the Tasman, turning down their offers and instead signing with the Vodafone Warriors’ NYC squad in 2010. Gubb featured in 23 matches for the side and came off the bench in the grand final to help the team to its first premiership over South Sydney.

He relocated to Queensland following the 2010 season, after joining the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Queensland Cup. Gubb was once again part of a title-winning side, as he played in their 2011 and 2012 grand final victories.

He was lured back to Auckland in 2013 when he was offered a pre-season contract. Hard work saw this extend into a fulltime contract and Charlie performed well in NSW Cup play, eventually earning his first NRL start against South Sydney in Perth in July.

• Played first XV rugby in Wellington before trying Rugby League
• Signed with NZ Warriors in 2010 turning down offers from Manly and Wests Tigers
• Played 23 Toyota Cup games in 2010 including the Grand Final, won by the Warriors
• Moved to Australia and played Queensland Cup in 2011, winning the Grand Final with Wynnum Manly Seagulls
• Made Queensland Residents team in 2012
• Returned to Auckland in 2013, trialling for the Warriors, earning a fulltime contract
• Made his first grade debut on 7th July 2013 against the Rabbitohs in Perth

https://www.nzwarriors.com/player-profiles/charlie-gubb.27/

League: Tough defender Gubb waves off his Mexican alter ego
5:00 AM Saturday Jul 4, 2015

Charlie Gubb made his mark in last week's win over the Raiders.

Until recently, Charlie Gubb feared his time with the Warriors might be defined by his comedic roles in the Wendy's burger television commercials rather than his footballing talents.

After making his NRL debut against the Rabbitohs in Perth late in the 2013 season, Gubb enjoyed five more first grade appearances last year but was unable to nail down a regular spot in coach Andrew McFadden's side.

The 25-year-old admits he began to wonder whether Warriors' fans would remember him more for his dodgy Mexican accent from his time promoting guacamole burgers, than his knack for flattening opposition forwards or strong ball-carrying ability.

"Definitely! You don't want to be that guy that's here for a few years but only plays 10 games," Gubb says, with a big smile and a shake of the head.

"I don't like doing the promo stuff because I know I haven't played a lot of games so it's kind of embarrassing for me but you have to do it."

The consistent form of the Warriors' starting forward pack and the emergence of boom interchange front-rowers Sam Lisone and Albert Vete meant Gubb had to be patient in waiting for another chance in the NRL this season.

Despite being one of the better performers in a powerful NSW Cup side stacked full of players with NRL experience, he found himself on the outer, while other middle men were rewarded with time in the top grade.

"No one really wants to be playing NSW Cup, everyone wants to be playing NRL," he said.

"And everyone in that team has the attributes to be the next man called up so it is hard.

"There was me, Sam Rapira, Suaia Matagi, Sebastine Ikahihifo and Sione Lousi, it was just a big log-jam. Everyone's got people in their ear saying 'you need to do this, you need to do that' so it is kind of stressful even though you are doing what you love.

"But it's hard battling away in NSW Cup, trying to stay focused on what you have to do to get into the NRL team."

He needn't have worried; he eventually earned a bench spot for games against the Roosters and Titans before really making his mark with a bruising 27-minute display in last week's win over the Raiders.

His rib-rattling shot on Canberra prop Frank-Paul Nu'uausala set the Twittersphere ablaze with fans quick to pair the #GubbCity hashtag together with memes commemorating the powerful tackle.

Gubb acknowledges the strength of his defensive game and says he has been keen to prove he is more than just another fringe first grader.

"I know that I've earned it this year. I've got back into my best footy that I know a lot of people haven't seen.

"It's my defence. Out of the club, I can bang the hardest. Ben Matulino's probably got the biggest shoulder charge but apart from him I've got that intent that no one else has.

"I might not break the line but my defence is probably my X-factor."

And while he's been making a big impression in recent weeks, Gubb is not likely to get ahead of himself any time soon.

The unassuming Wellington-born product can often be spotted walking home after Warriors training sessions and revealed he is too shy to ask his teammates for a ride.

It's that kind of humble attitude that sees Gubb considering teaching or social work as a career path post-football.

"I've never been really good at essay-writing but feel that I am good at teaching and being with kids, taking charge of a classroom.

"Going in that direction is something I want to do after footy, whether it is guidance counselling or whatever. We'll see what happens."


Charlie Gubb


Born: May 17, 1990
Height: 1.88m
Weight: 108kg
Position: Prop
Representative honours: Queensland Residents (2012)
Junior club: Victoria University Hunters
Previous clubs: Wynnum Manly Seagulls
NRL debut: Warriors v Rabbitohs, nib Stadium, Perth, June 7, 2013 (round 17)

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11475477

 

[jonno]

Its awesome that Gubbs stepping up. A big, hard tackling prop is exactly what we need right now...

I'd love to see some impact stats from our big boys to see who in fact does hit the hardest...

 

[Freddie Futler]

I, like a few others have been calling to recruit one more big prop, but after last weeks game when Gubb stepped up big time I have changed my mind. His defence was awesome and with all the other young guns Vete, Lisone etc we do not need another.
Just need a decent steady as she goes half who has a kicking average of 90%, can kick 40/20s and stop the ball ingoal with a grubber.
Am I asking too much?

 

[Defence]

He has always hit hard on d but unfortunately he usually cops it back with interest when he carries the ball himself- that's where he needs to find his niche. A bit of late footwork would work wonders for his game.

 

[Richie]

I, like a few others have been calling to recruit one more big prop, but after last weeks game when Gubb stepped up big time I have changed my mind. His defence was awesome and with all the other young guns Vete, Lisone etc we do not need another.
Just need a decent steady as she goes half who has a kicking average of 90%, can kick 40/20s and stop the ball ingoal with a grubber.
Am I asking too much?

I agree about Gubb, but with Vete and Lisone likely to be our bench props next year (assuming we go with a 2 prop bench rotation with TL and a second rower holding the other spots), who else do we have as prop cover or for those games when we might want to carry 3 props on the bench? I suppose Lousi can play prop cover, but do we have anyone else? If not, I'm still leaning towards us needing 1 quality second tier prop for depth.

 

[Richie]

"It's my defence. Out of the club, I can bang the hardest. Ben Matulino's probably got the biggest shoulder charge but apart from him I've got that intent that no one else has.

"I might not break the line but my defence is probably my X-factor."

Loved reading this. Sounds like he's well aware of his strengths and what he needs to work on. I also like that he has the confidence to come out and rate himself within the team like this. Hope the boys don't give him grief for it, or start launching themselves out of the line looking for the big hit to show Gubb up. He has plenty of whack, no doubt, but it's his consistency (relative to his opportunity so far) and his control in D that's impressed me most.

 

[WellingtonOrca]

I agree about Gubb, but with Vete and Lisone likely to be our bench props next year (assuming we go with a 2 prop bench rotation with TL and a second rower holding the other spots), who else do we have as prop cover or for those games when we might want to carry 3 props on the bench? I suppose Lousi can play prop cover, but do we have anyone else? If not, I'm still leaning towards us needing 1 quality second tier prop for depth.

I think Ikihihifo, Peyroux and RFM have all been used as makeshift props at some point this year when they've come off the bench due to Cappy's reluctance to sub any of the back 3. It's been confirmed now that next season will be 8 interchanges but still a 4 man bench, so we could see the end of subbing the 2nd row all together.

 

[Richie]

I think Ikihihifo, Peyroux and RFM have all been used as makeshift props at some point this year when they've come off the bench due to Cappy's reluctance to sub any of the back 3. It's been confirmed now that next season will be 8 interchanges but still a 4 man bench, so we could see the end of subbing the 2nd row all together.

Yeah, forgot about the interchange changes, but less interchanges probably means more 3 prop/1 utility benches, as well as a return to smaller, fitter more mobile front rows. If so, and we end up with Vete, Lisone, Gubb and TL/Tui as our starting bench, our prop depth is Lousi, Seb, Peyroux and RFM, assuming we keep them all. Only Seb and Lousi are genuine prop options, imo. Still looks thin to me, but I suppose with generally smaller props across the board, there will become less difference between the genuine prop and the prop/second rower. Might be that we're over stocked with 2nd rowers... or might be that we're ahead of the game with surplus mobile props to be, though fitness/minutes still seems a major concern with a lot of the players listed above.

 

[Off The Bench]

We've got good compition going on in our forward pack , Ben and Jacob are our
first to props picked, An the rest of the boys are fighting it out for the other two
spots, An our forwards are performing way better than the last couple of seasons,
The other change is players are not getting picked on name but on performance ,
case in point Sam Rapira , Lisone, playing reserve grade , I'm getting the feeling cappy will
give them a go , An if they are willing to learn an performing they get another turn ,So lisone has
to wait for Vete or Gubb to have a quiet game before he gets his start, That's how iv noticed he's
been running it,
so I think if we get more props it might jam up our rotation , If any team loses BenmMatulino or
Jacob , Lillyman they would suffer.Lucky both are fairly hardy players, But I believe we got the
right mix of forwards at the moment it's just letting them get more experience, Oh yeah Gubcity rules

 

[mt.wellington]

He's had his fair share of haters in this place. Dont see any putting their hand up now. Funny that. No doubt waiting for him to have an off game then all come crawling out...

From hated to hero, Charlie Gubb changes attitudes
DAVID LONG
Last updated 05:00, July 5 2015


Last season Charlie Gubb felt he was the most hated player at the Warriors – this year he's become a cult hero.

The 25-year-old from Wellington has played just nine NRL games since making his debut just over two years ago.

For most of his time at the Warriors he's been seen as a hard grafter, without the flashes of brilliance shown by other New Zealand props like Ben Matulino and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

At the beginning of this year he was recovering from a leg stress fracture and broken toe and when he returned he spent the first half of the season playing for the reserves in the NSW Cup.

As he did so, younger props Sam Lisone and Albert Vete were being hailed as future stars.

There were also Sam Rapira, Suaia Matagi and Sebastine Ikahihifo standing in his way for a spot and it wasn't until three weeks ago, against the Roosters, that his chance finally came.

With his age and limited experience in the first grade, there might not have been more opportunities coming Gubb's way and he was determined to make the most of it.

"I feel like I earned my spot in the team for the first week, but I was nervous because I was low in confidence from my last few NRL games last year," Gubb said.

"Cappy (Warriors coach, Andrew McFadden) showed faith in me and I'm getting more and more confidence to play in the NRL.

"I looked at it a different way. I knew that I couldn't take it for granted. I had to know my role and go as hard as I can."

His performances in his three games this season have taken him to cult hero status among Warriors fans.

His willingness to get stuck in and lift the intensity when he comes off the interchange bench have been noted by the Mt Smart faithful. Oh, and his huge hit on the Raiders' Frank Paul Nuuausala last week, which sent the former Kiwi flying backwards, led to a huge cheer from the Warriors fans.

But he feels it didn't used to be like that for him, that he was regarded as the scapegoat when things went wrong.

"I think I was hated by the fans for a while," he said.

"So I try not look at stuff about me, hopefully I've won some respect back.

"I stopped going on social media. I go to church all of the time now and that's changed my outlook on everything."

Gubb, who undoubtedly has the coolest name in the NRL, admitted he struggled this year waiting for another chance to come his way.

"It was tough," he nodded.

"Sometimes you get down at home wondering whether you're going to get another opportunity.

"I just want this really bad. I'll go out every game as if it's me giving everything or it will be someone else wearing that jersey.

"I have to have respect for that jersey, because there are so many good players in the NSW Cup side at the moment like Sam Rapira and Sione Lousi."

But Gubb seems to have done enough to keep his place in first grade and McFadden has been delighted that he's taken his chance.

"From my perspective, he's always had it there," McFadden said.

"But he's found what works for him and he's certainly going to hold his spot at the moment."

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/69911251/from-hated-to-hero-charlie-gubb-changes-attitudes

 

[Matulino's Left Shoulder]

When and why did Gubb ever cop hate from the fans ?

He got man handled by James Graham in the last NRL game prior to this year but what rookie wouldnt.

 

[Fazz]

When and why did Gubb ever cop hate from the fans ?

He got man handled by James Graham in the last NRL game prior to this year but what rookie wouldnt.

Yeah, tbh I think Mt. Welly is overstating it. Gubb probably just copped a hammering after playing in a bad loss - which all players do. I don't recall any specific hate movement against Gubb though. Maybe an apathetic 'Gubb's kind of a scrub' response, but that's about it.

Anyway, it's always good to see the beginning signs of a Warriors Junior kicking on. Hopefully Gubb can hold his spot for the rest of the year and we won't need to recruit another prop for next year - unless the right guy becomes available.

 

[kiwi's 13-6]

remember him losing the ball in a tackle in perth against souths 2 years ago momentum in game shifted from that point onwards and james graham got the better of him last year with a couple big hits, done nothing to be hated for perhaps the social media crap is what he is refering to?

 

[surfin]

The only hate I can remember Charlie ever getting was for some of his idiotic Twithead posts and as far as I'm still concerned he deserved it, and as the stupid posts were deleted pretty damn quickly I think either he or someone close to him told him to his face they were stupid. As for his football apart from comments stating facts about size etc I remember no real hate. Anyway his best defence from haters is keep playing well.

 

[mt.wellington]

Yeah, tbh I think Mt. Welly is overstating it.

Probably got him mixed up with Sione Lousi or Facebook sorry. He's copped a hiding on there for sure...

 

[Fazz]

Probably got him mixed up with Sione Lousi or Facebook sorry. He's copped a hiding on there for sure...

Haha fair enough man! Our Facebook bros have also suggested crazy things like Johnson to fullback / hooker / NSW Cup and have been known to hate on Lillyman/Mannering/anybody not PUTIGN IN DA FENDZ though. I wouldn't put too much stock in their opinions.

Lousi definitely gets smashed on here though, aside from his early season form either last year or the year before. I remember everybody being quite happy with him then.

Edit: Actually, you're right. During the whole Russell Packer's fake gang saga, Gubb copped some serious shit. Cheers for the reminder surfin

 

[Gizzyfan]

Gubb has shown that a bench player can have an impact role as a defender. Probably in the past the bench has a tendancy to pick attacking impact players.

Defence like his lifts teams.

 

[eudebrito]

Remember that sick offload against he threw against the dragons last year, right into the turf, not a warrior in sight, opposition scored the next set I think.

Players improve, but its natural for fans to slag them off when they don’t have a track record of success.

Similarly RFM’s defensive efforts against the titans on Anzac day have been swept under the rug after he had a couple of good showings.

He’s done well seeing as after rd 1 looked like he would be the 7th choice prop, obviously coaches see something to keep letting all the other reserve graders leave, but not him.

 

[snake77]

On first seeing Gubb this year he looks like he's lost a ton of weight. Looks like he's put in a lot of work and has got himself in shape.

He looks a lot smaller than what I remember him last year.

Great to see someone called up and taking their opportunities. They say front rowers mature later; hopefully this is what we are seeing.

 

[mt.wellington]

Gubb's grand final connection
Richard Becht
Fri 2nd October, 02:10PM

Vodafone Warrior Charlie Gubb makes a run in the NRL Rugby League, Vodafone Warriors v Cronulla Sharks at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand 1 August 2015. Copyright Photo: Fiona Goodall / www.photosport.nz

Vodafone Warriors front rower Charlie Gubb will have more than a passing interest in the North Queensland Cowboys – and specifically coach Paul Green – when they take on the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL grand final at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Sunday (7.15pm kick-off local time; 9.15pm NZT).

After savouring NYC grand final success with the Vodafone Junior Warriors in 2010, Gubb linked up with the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Queensland Cup in 2011 where Green was the club’s first-year head coach.

Green had started his coaching career working as a specialist coach with Wayne Bennett at the Broncos before becoming assistant coach in 2009 and then joining the Seagulls as assistant coach in 2010.

Stepping up to the top job, Green had immediate success guiding Wynnum Manly to victory in the Queensland Cup in 2011; Gubb was on the interchange while starting at fullback was Green’s current North Queensland hooker Jake Granville with long-time Brisbane back rower Dane Carlaw in the front row along with Wellington-born former Broncos hooker John Te Reo. The other starting prop was Mitchell Dodds, who’s on the bench for Brisbane in Sunday’s NRL grand final.

Green backed up by guiding the Seagulls to the premiership in 2012 when Gubb was again on the bench while his brother Peter was on the wing. Granville, Carlaw, Dodds and Te Reo were also in the side again.

In the same season Green coached the Queensland Residents side – which included Gubb – to a memorable victory over their New South Wales counterparts in the curtain-raiser to the third and final State of Origin match at Suncorp Stadium.

While Gubb moved back to the Vodafone Warriors in 2013, Green became NYC coach and NRL assistant coach at the Sydney Roosters where he would also come in contact with Vodafone Warrior-in-waiting Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Aside from the Gubb-Green connection there’s a strong Vodafone Warriors and New Zealand flavour running through the three grand finals at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.

Brisbane’s NRL line-up features four players in contention for the Kiwi team to tour England – wing Jordan Kahu, prop Adam Blair, second rower Alex Glenn and interchange utility Kodi Nikorima. Interchange prop Joe Ofahengaue was born in Auckland but has aligned himself with Australia (he has represented the Junior Kangaroos).

Included in the North Queensland squad are Auckland-born wing Antonio Winterstein – who has played seven Tests for Toa Samoa – and loose forward Jason Taumalolo. Winterstein was in the Kiwis’ 2010 Four Nations squad but didn’t play a match.

The State Championship grand final pits the New South Wales Cup premiership-winning Newcastle Knights against their Queensland Cup counterparts the Ipswich Jets.

The Knights include wing Honeti Tuha, a former Vodafone Warriors NYC squad member, as well as ex-Vodafone Warriors NRL utility Carlos Tuimavave, ex-Vodafone Junior Warrior Tama Koopu and Marvin Filipo, who was in the Vodafone Warriors’ wider NRL squad in 2006. Also in Newcastle’s side are recent or current Junior Kiwis Joseph Tapine, Danny Levi and Sam Mataora plus 2014 New Zealand 18s representative Ken Tofilau.

The squads for the NYC grand final between Penrith and Manly include a number of New Zealand-born or New Zealand-eligible players, among them Penrith second rower James Fisher-Harris – a Junior Kiwi this year – and impressive back row partner Corey Harawira-Naera plus Manly’s Moses Noovao-McGreal, named in the Cook Islands’ train-on squad for the coming World Cup qualifier against Tonga.

https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2015/10/02/gubb_s_grand_final_c.html