Two of the One New Zealand Warriors' most promising players are on track to recover from injuries in time for the Jersey Flegg Cup's round 12 match against Canterbury Bankstown. The match is set to take place at Navigation Homes Stadium on Sunday, with an 11.00am kick-off.
Desman Laban, an exciting second-rower and the younger brother of NRL back rower Jacob Laban, has been selected for his first appearance of the season. Unfortunately, injuries prevented him from participating in any part of the SG Ball Cup campaign this year. However, fans of the Warriors may remember that he was a standout player during the team's premiership-winning Harold Matthews Cup campaign last year.
Also included on the extended bench for his first Jersey Flegg appearance this year is impressive back-rower Augustino Filipo. He was named captain of the club's 2025 SG Ball Cup side, but his season was limited to just three games due to injury.
The Warriors can now count on the successful coaching of TJ Ashford, who guided the club to back-to-back premierships in the Harold Matthews Cup. The team is coming off a bye and currently sits at 12th place in the competition with eight points. They're just one point away from breaking into the top eight.
In their last outing, the Warriors gave the highly-rated Canberra Raiders a run for their money in Wollongong, ultimately losing by a narrow margin of 28-32. Meanwhile, the upcoming opponents, the Bulldogs, are currently six points ahead in sixth place, boasting a total of 14 points. They're coming off successive victories over the Roosters and the Eels.
It's worth noting that the general sentiment amongst fans on the nzwarriors.com forum is a mix of cautious optimism and excitement. User "WarriorsFan1" posted, "Can't wait to see Laban and Filipo back in action. They're both talented players with a lot of potential." Meanwhile, another user, "RugbyLoverNZ," pointed out, "The team is in good hands with Coach Ashford. The boys just need to keep up the momentum."
The upcoming match is sure to be an exciting one, with the return of key players and a chance for the Warriors to move up the ladder. Be sure to tune in and show your support for the team!
Desman Laban, an exciting second-rower and the younger brother of NRL back rower Jacob Laban, has been selected for his first appearance of the season. Unfortunately, injuries prevented him from participating in any part of the SG Ball Cup campaign this year. However, fans of the Warriors may remember that he was a standout player during the team's premiership-winning Harold Matthews Cup campaign last year.
Also included on the extended bench for his first Jersey Flegg appearance this year is impressive back-rower Augustino Filipo. He was named captain of the club's 2025 SG Ball Cup side, but his season was limited to just three games due to injury.
The Warriors can now count on the successful coaching of TJ Ashford, who guided the club to back-to-back premierships in the Harold Matthews Cup. The team is coming off a bye and currently sits at 12th place in the competition with eight points. They're just one point away from breaking into the top eight.
In their last outing, the Warriors gave the highly-rated Canberra Raiders a run for their money in Wollongong, ultimately losing by a narrow margin of 28-32. Meanwhile, the upcoming opponents, the Bulldogs, are currently six points ahead in sixth place, boasting a total of 14 points. They're coming off successive victories over the Roosters and the Eels.
It's worth noting that the general sentiment amongst fans on the nzwarriors.com forum is a mix of cautious optimism and excitement. User "WarriorsFan1" posted, "Can't wait to see Laban and Filipo back in action. They're both talented players with a lot of potential." Meanwhile, another user, "RugbyLoverNZ," pointed out, "The team is in good hands with Coach Ashford. The boys just need to keep up the momentum."
The upcoming match is sure to be an exciting one, with the return of key players and a chance for the Warriors to move up the ladder. Be sure to tune in and show your support for the team!