League: Webster makes most of misfortune

Injuries have again smiled on new Kiwis' recruit Jake Webster in a memorable 2005 rugby league season which has seen him catapult from the Melbourne Storm's feeder club to the brink of a test debut against the Kangaroos in Saturday's Tri-Nations opener.

The 21-year-old centre was expecting to start the National Rugby League (NRL) season with the Brisbane Norths in the Queensland Cup competition but a season-ending foot injury to Steven Turner saw him start round one on the wing.

Melbourne-born Webster, who qualifies through his New Zealand father, eventually played 24 games on the flank, scoring 10 tries.

His form was so compelling the New Zealand Rugby League checked his allegiance and then named him in the New Zealand A side to play the Junior Kangaroos in the test curtain raiser at Telstra Stadium.

However, a message yesterday from Storm -- and now Kiwis -- teammate David Kidwell confirmed Webster has a potentially tougher assignment after the surprise withdrawal of Sydney Roosters rookie Iosia Soliola.

The 19-year-old centre was to make his test debut until Kiwis medical staff ruled him out with a historic knee injury suffered late in the Roosters' campaign.

He had difficulty running at the Kiwis first training session on Saturday and surgery looms after a cut appears to have been affected, affecting his mobility.

Soliola's demise jolted Webster out of an early morning slumber at his brother's place.

"I missed the phone call from Kiddy (Kidwell) but I rang back and he let me know they wanted me to come in (to camp).

"Things started running through my head. I was surprised, excited .... everything."

He joined the 21-strong camp yesterday afternoon and was practically pinching himself after a training session at Parramatta Stadium.

"At the start of the year the Kiwis never crossed my mind, I was just concentrating on playing for the Storm. I thought first grade was the ant's pants but this is the biggest thing."

Webster made his debut against Penrith in 2003 but played only seven first grade games in two seasons as experienced backline rivals like Turner blocked his path.

"I would have been back at Norths waiting for injuries then Steve got injured in the trial against the Broncos.

"That gave me the chance, I grabbed it and never looked back."

Though his rise to prominence has come via the wing Webster prefers centre and could yet end up there after Clinton Toopi made an early exit from training with a leg injury yesterday.

He would also have no qualms about playing out wide, particularly against Storm teammate Matt King.

"Matt will be on the wing and I'd love to mark him. I train against him every day."

Webster's familiarity with the remainder of the star-studded Kangaroos back division also gave him confidence should be make coach Brian McClennan's final 17 on Tuesday.

"It helps having played the Aussie guys like Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper. Matt Geyer (Melbourne wing) has also been a mentor and Kiddy has helped me out a lot," he said.

Apart from slotting into the set-up Webster also has to perfect the haka and admits he knows little about New Zealand.

"Mum's Greek and Dad's a Kiwi," he explained.

"I've been to New Zealand two or three times but not for long stints really. I've been there for holidays and the unveiling of my grandfather's tomb (in 1997). "

Although he played for the Queensland under-19s and Queensland Residents rep teams he has always supported the Kiwis, due in part to his father Steven's urging.

"I've supported them (the Kiwis) all the way through.

"I left everyone wondering for a while about who (Australia or New Zealand) I was going with because I didn't want to worry about it.

"I was concentrating on playing for the Storm but when crunch time came it was always going to be New Zealand."

The Kiwis train again today with Penrith second rower Tony Puletua and English-based utility Motu Tony expected to join the squad.

- NZPA