League: Jake, the Aussie who's playing for the Kiwis

Jake Webster was born and raised in Australia but never once wanted to represent that country.

His father Steven, a Maori from Taheke near Kaikohe, who had played local-level league, wrote to the New Zealand Rugby League mid-year pointing out his son had the necessary heritage to play for the Kiwis.

Webster, 21, has only been here to play NRL games and on holidays to visit family but always wanted to represent New Zealand.

"I've always followed the All Blacks and the Kiwis, I watched every Kiwis' game. When dad wrote to them I thought it was a long shot, it wasn't on my mind at all, he was pushing me."
A great season on the Storm's right wing, consistency above all else, has Webster achieving a dream.

"I got a chance at the start of the year when Steve Turner was injured. I'm not a new boy now," he said, 31 games behind him. "They [Storm coaches] said I had to take a bit of responsibility. I think I've done that. It was a huge surprise and a huge honour to be selected for the Kiwis."

Webster was buzzing with the feel in the camp. "I've played against them all. I've seen how they rise when they get the Kiwis' jersey on."

Webster's father Steven went to Australia with his parents aged 16, after growing up in Mt Roskill. Steven met and married a Greek woman, Madeline, in Melbourne and after they split, his son Jake lived with his father in Brisbane, playing through the grades and attracting the attention of the Storm's scouts.

In Melbourne, Jake lives with another Storm up-and-comer in fullback Greg Inglis, the pair egging each other on to higher achievements.

Webster said his dad had always told him of his New Zealand roots and both he and his father had no aim other than the Kiwis. "He told me there was a better lifestyle living in Australia but not to forget where I came from."

He's found open arms in the Kiwis camp in Sydney ahead of Saturday's test and that has helped ease the nerves.

* Jake Webster

Age: 21
Born: Melbourne
Details: 1.82m, 92kg, winger
Club: Melbourne Storm