JACOB Laban has been advised by his Samoan chief father to choose New Zealand over the land of his birth for the upcoming World Cup.
Coach Stacey Jones has gone with only one specialist hooker, the Dolphins’ Jeremy Marshall-King, following the suspension of Phoenix Crossland for breaking Nathan Cleary’s ankle.
Australian Wayde Egan is eligible on residency grounds but was not included in the Kiwis’ extended squad.
Laban, 22, meanwhile told Radio New Zealand: “I was born in Samoa and obviously I could play for Samoa, so I had a chat to my dad.
“My dad’s Samoan. My dad’s a chief. He’s got a Matai (holds a position of sacred responsibility.
“When I had to talk to him about who I should pick, he said that I should play for Kiwis because New Zealand gave me a chance to make a home. I want to pay them back and I still owe so much to them.
“I was leaning more towards the Kiwis but, like, it’s a reason to have that chat with my dad, like just made me feel at ease, some (elders) are proud of their country and for him to say that to me was what I needed.
“You work almost your whole childhood to try and make NRL debut, and then to represent the country, I’m starstruck.”
