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Sport Nation
Warriors coach Webster vents over NRL judiciary's inconsistency with Laban incident
Sport Nation • August 6th, 2025 3:30 pm
Jacob Laban | Photo: Photosport
NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster has quelled fears of any long-term absence of first-choice hooker Wayde Egan.
Egan was scratched from Friday's gameday squad which lost to the Dolphins due to concussion, but it's a shoulder injury which will sideline him against the Bulldogs on Saturday.
The Australian has travelled with the squad for this weekend's match at Accor Stadium, with Webster indicating he could be destined for a return to play as soon as next weekend's clash with the Dragons.
"We were always planning to rest him," Webster said. "Shouldn't be long term, but he definitely needs another week.
"He could play next weekend. He trained today, he just didn't take any collision.
Injuries have plagued the NZ-based team in 2025, best exemplified by the loss of co-captain Mitchell Barnett and Luke Metcalf to season-ending issues among a myriad of other shorter-term health problems to the rest of the squad.
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"There's wear and tear this time every year for every player, but particularly Wayde, because of his work-rate and his minutes.
"He just needs time - it's not something where he needs an operation, not like a dislocation."
Sam Healey will again step in as his compatriot's replacement, having impressed with a lively effort against the Dolphins last Friday.
"We always believe whoever the next guy is can offer something and Sam certainly can," Webster noted.
"He offered something on the weekend."
The injury news isn't as encouraging for forward Jacob Laban. He's facing six weeks out with a fracture in his leg, after Dolphins forward Felise Kaufusi landed on him in a hip-drop tackle - meaning he may well have played his final game of the campaign.
The incident led to a sinbinning, but Kaufusi escaping with just a two-match ban has reportedly left the Warriors staff seething.
While Webster wouldn't be drawn into any pointed assessment of the situation, he's adamant there needs to be more consistency from the judiciary to ensure the "punishment fits the crime".
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"I hate it when they say, 'We're going to crack down on this, we're going to go hard and stamp it out'," he said. "They just need to be consistent, so the punishment fits the crime.
"If they believe each time that tackle happens, it needs to be this long, then that's how long it needs to be. It would be unfair on the first player you go after.
"If they want to take in injuries, then they need to."
According to Webster, the judiciary made their ruling on Kaufusi's ban without first receiving an update on Laban's status - a departure from standard protocol.
"They always ask us for medical advice," he said. "They always ask us if we have any medical outcomes for players - we've been asked that through our manager from the judicial panel or someone from the NRL before a decision is made.
"This decision was made before they received that information - that's all I'm going to say on that. It's up to them what they do with that information.
"At the end of the day, our CEO can handle all that. I don't want to get into hot water, but the process just didn't seem consistent."
