Jake Webster

{{short description|New Zealand international rugby league footballer}}

{{Infobox rugby league biography

|name = Jake Webster

|image = Jake Webster.jpg

|image_size = 285

|caption =

|fullname = Jake Ngapera Webster{{cite web |url=http://nzleague.co.nz/kiwis/player_profile.php?letter=W&id=719 |title= Webster, Jake Ngapera 2005 - 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423075254/http://nzleague.co.nz/kiwis/player_profile.php?letter=W&id=719 |archive-date=23 April 2012 |url-status=dead}}

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|10|29|df=yes}}

|birth_place = Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

|height = {{convert|1.82|m|ftin|abbr=on|order=flip}}

|weight = {{convert|95|kg|stlb|abbr=on|order=flip}} {{cite web |url=http://www.castigers.com/player/468 |title=Castleford Tigers 1st Team Jake Webster |date=2015 |website=Official Castleford Tigers web site |publisher=Castleford Tigers |access-date=22 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622173917/http://www.castigers.com/player/468 |archive-date=22 June 2015 |url-status=dead }}

|position = {{Rlp|CE|WG|SR}}

|club1 = Melbourne Storm

|year1start = 2003

|year1end = 06

|appearances1 = 49

|tries1 = 28

|goals1 = 0

|fieldgoals1 = 0

|points1 = 112

|club2 = Gold Coast Titans

|year2start = 2007

|year2end =

|appearances2 = 18

|tries2 = 4

|goals2 = 0

|fieldgoals2 = 0

|points2 = 16

|club3 = {{nowrap|Hull Kingston Rovers}}

|year3start = 2008

|year3end = 12

|appearances3 = 105

|tries3 = 41

|goals3 = 7

|fieldgoals3 = 0

|points3 = 178

|club4 = Castleford Tigers

|year4start = 2013

|year4end = 18

|appearances4 = 125

|tries4 = 49

|goals4 = 0

|fieldgoals4 = 0

|points4 = 196

|club5 = → York City Knights

|year5start = 2014({{Abbrlink|DR|Super League#Dual registration}})

|year5end =

|appearances5 = 1

|tries5 = 0

|goals5 = 0

|fieldgoals5 = 0

|points5 = 0

|club6 = Bradford Bulls

|year6start = 2019

|year6end =

|appearances6 = 25

|tries6 = 12

|goals6 = 0

|fieldgoals6 = 0

|points6 = 48

|club7 = Keighley Cougars

|year7start = 2020

|year7end = 24

|appearances7 = 28

|tries7 = 17

|goals7 = 0

|fieldgoals7 = 0

|points7 = 68

|teamA = New Zealand

|yearAstart = 2005

|yearAend = 07

|appearancesA = 8

|triesA = 5

|goalsA = 0

|fieldgoalsA = 0

|pointsA = 20

| coachteam1 = {{nowrap|Keighley Cougars}}

| coachyear1start = 2024

| coachyear1end = 25

| coachgames1 = 12

| coachwins1 = 6

| coachdraws1 = 0

| coachlosses1 = 6

| new = yes

| retired = no

| source = {{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/jake-webster/summary.html|title=Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=rugbyleagueproject.org|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}

| updated = 26 February 2025

}}

Jake Ngapera Webster (born 29 October 1983) is a former New Zealand international rugby league footballer who last played as a {{rlp|ce}} for the Keighley Cougars in League 1.

He previously played as a {{rlp|ce}} and {{rlp|wg}}er for the Melbourne Storm and Gold Coast Titans in the NRL, and as a {{rlp|ce}} and {{rlp|sr}} forward for the Castleford Tigers and Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League. Webster also played for the Bradford Bulls in the Championship.

Early life

Webster was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He is the son of a New Zealand Māori father, Steven and Greek mother, Madeline,{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10349960 |title=League: Jake, the Aussie who's playing for the Kiwis |work=New Zealand Herald |date=13 October 2005}} spent the early years of his life in Moonee Ponds before moving to Brisbane, Queensland with his father. When in Brisbane, Webster was educated at Wavell State High School.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

He began his rugby league career as an eight-year-old with the Valleys rugby league club and remained with the club through to under-18s. In 2001, Webster was selected in the Queensland under-19s side and was offered a Storm contract soon after.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

Playing career

=National Rugby League=

Webster was the first Melbourne-born player to play with the Melbourne Storm, making his debut for the club in round 2 of the 2003 NRL season.{{cite news |last1=de Kroo |first1=Karl |title=Local teen steps into eye of Storm |work=Herald-Sun |publisher=Nationwide News Pty Ltd |date=22 March 2003 |location=Melbourne, Victoria |page=77}} It would be Webster's only appearance in the NRL that year after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament the following week playing for Norths Devils in the Queensland Cup.{{cite news |last1=de Kroo |first1=Karl |title=Storm injury hell |work=Herald-Sun |publisher=Nationwide News Pty Ltd |date=1 April 2003 |location=Melbourne, Victoria |page=56}}

Returning to the field in 2004, Webster would score a hat-trick in his third NRL appearance in a 50–4 win for Melbourne against South Sydney.{{cite web |title=Storm rout Rabbitohs |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-04-17/storm-rout-rabbitohs/171746 |website=abc.net.au |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=11 April 2024 |date=17 April 2004}}{{cite news |last1=de Kroo |first1=Karl |title=Melbourne-born rookie calls left wing home - Jake pegs spot |work=Herald-Sun |publisher=Nationwide News Pty Ltd |date=19 April 2004 |location=Melbourne, Victoria |page=59}} Webster had limited opportunities in the 2004 season, mostly playing for Melbourne's feeder club Norths Devils.

In 2005, Webster was a regular member of the Storm squad,{{cite news |last1=de Kroo |first1=Karl |title=Filling the void - Geyer rates Webster as Storm's new Bai |work=Herald-Sun |publisher=Nationwide News Pty Ltd |date=16 August 2005 |location=Melbourne, Victoria |page=70}} making 24 appearances and scoring 10 tries, including the first try in the qualifying final against the Brisbane Broncos.{{cite news |last1=Donaghy |first1=Dave |title=Storm overcomes injuries to beat Broncos |agency=AAP Sports News Wire |publisher=Australian Associated Press Pty Limited |date=10 September 2005}}

At the end of the 2005 NRL season, Webster made his international debut for New Zealand in the 2005 Tri-Nations tournament. He would finish level on top of the scoring table with five tries in five appearances for the Kiwis, playing on the wing as New Zealand won the final 24–0 against Australia.{{cite news|agency=Agence France-Presse|title=Kiwis crush Kangaroos in Tri-Nations final|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-11-27/kiwis-crush-kangaroos-in-tri-nations-final/749316|access-date=9 February 2014|publisher=ABC News|location=Australia|date=27 November 2005}}

In round 16 of the 2006 NRL season, he scored a memorable last minute try against Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in what was called one of the greatest games of that season.{{cite web |url=http://www.rleague.com/db/content/73000/73149.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127161647/http://www.rleague.com/db/content/73000/73149.php |title=The Great Escape |work=The world of Rugby League |date=23 June 2006 |archive-date=27 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last1=Gabor |first1=Martin |title=The night that sparked the perfect Storm |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2016/06/23/the-night-that-sparked-the-perfect-storm/ |website=NRL.com |access-date=11 April 2024 |date=23 June 2016}} A few weeks later, Webster would score four tries against the Wests Tigers to equal the club's then record for individual tries in a match.{{cite news |last1=Epstein |first1=Jackie |title=Jake makes a statement |work=Herald-Sun |publisher=Nationwide News Pty Ltd |date=6 August 2006 |location=Melbourne, Victoria |page=70}}

Webster wasn't able to maintain his spot in the Storm squad as the season progressed, not making the Melbourne team that would play in the 2006 NRL Grand Final.{{cite news |last1=Read |first1=Brent |title=Webster's agony at being odd man out |work=The Australian |date=29 September 2006 |location=Canberra, Australia |page=35}} He would make 49 appearances for the Storm, scoring 28 tries. Due to surgery on a shoulder injury, Webster was forced to withdraw for selection for New Zealand ahead of the 2006 Tri-Nations.

Offered a contract by the expansion Gold Coast Titans,{{cite news |title=Titans sign 17th player as Webster exits Storm |work=Townsville Bulletin |publisher=Nationwide News Pty Ltd |date=1 July 2006 |location=Townsville, Queensland |page=117}}{{cite news |last1=Clark |first1=Laine |title=Gold Coast finally lure Webster into the family |work=Sun-Herald |publisher=Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited |date=2 July 2006 |location=Sydney, New South Wales |page=90}} Webster signed in 2006 to become a part of the club's inaugural 2007 season, scoring a try in the club's first match in round 1. He was selected to play for the New Zealand national team on the wing in the 2007 ANZAC Test loss against Australia.{{cite web|title=Anzac Test Match 2007|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/anzac-test-match-2007/australia-vs-new-zealand.html|work=rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson and Bill Bates|access-date=1 September 2013}}

Webster agreed a deal to join English Super League side Hull Kingston Rovers on 30 August 2007{{cite web |title=Webster Wings In |url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/07/08/29/RUGBYL_Webster.html |publisher=Sporting Life |access-date=11 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930043156/http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/07/08/29/RUGBYL_Webster.html |archive-date=30 September 2007 |date=29 August 2007 |url-status=dead}} for a reported three year £100,000 per year contract after being released by the Titans.{{cite news |title=Hull KR strengthen relegation fight with Kiwi winger Webster |work=The Independent |date=31 August 2007 |location=London, United Kingdom}} He had made 18 appearances for the Titans in their first season, scoring four tries.

=Super League=

Webster made his Super League début in a 20–12 defeat by Leeds Rhinos in which he scored a brace and Hull Kingston Rovers' only tries. He would make a good start to the 2010 season filling in for Paul Cooke at stand off and scoring a try in the opening fixture against Salford City Reds.

On 26 June, Webster signed for Castleford Tigers on a three-year deal, starting in 2013.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/18280213 |title= Castleford Tigers|work= BBC Sport|date= 31 May 2012|access-date=26 June 2012}}

In March 2014, after missing rugby league action for nearly 12 months out with injury, Webster was given game time to play for the York City Knights in the League 1 competition.{{cite web|url=http://www.castigers.com/article.php?id=4094 |title= Webster To Play For York On Sunday|access-date=6 March 2014}} Later in 2014, Webster helped Castleford reach their first Challenge Cup Final since 1992. He was a key player in the squad that achieved this, and scored a try against Widnes in the Semi-Final.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/28658714 |title=Challenge Cup: Widnes Vikings 6-28 Castleford Tigers |date=10 August 2014 |access-date=19 June 2019}} He played in the 2014 Challenge Cup Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/aug/23/catleford-leeds-challenge-cup-final-match-report|title=Leeds lift Challenge Cup after Ryan Hall's double stuns Castleford|publisher=Guardian|date=23 August 2014|access-date=13 November 2019}}

Webster scored four tries against Wakefield Trinity in August 2017 to seal Castleford's place at the top of Super League, helping the club achieve their first ever top-flight league title.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/40938006 |title=Super 8s: Castleford Tigers 45-20 Wakefield Trinity |date=7 August 2017 |access-date=19 June 2019}} He also played for the Tigers in the Grand Final in the same season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/41536394 |title=Grand Final 2017: Castleford 6-24 Leeds Rhinos |date=7 October 2017 |access-date=19 June 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2017/oct/07/castleford-v-leeds-grand-final-2017-live-super-league-rugby?page=with:block-59d9128de4b00593b4d67a05#liveblog-navigation|title=Castleford 6-24 Leeds: Grand Final 2017 – as it happened|publisher=Guardian|date=7 October 2017|access-date=6 November 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/41536394|title=Grand Final 2017: Castleford 6-24 Leeds Rhinos|date=7 October 2017|work=BBC Sport|access-date=6 November 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/oct/07/castleford-leeds-super-league-grand-final-match-report|title=Danny McGuire guides Leeds to Grand Final success over Castleford|date=7 October 2017|work=Guardian|access-date=6 November 2019}}

Webster's departure from Castleford was announced in August 2018. Throughout his time with the club, Webster was regarded as a fans' favourite, stating "The biggest memory from my time here at Castleford will be the fans in the stands."{{Cite web|url=https://www.castlefordtigers.com/article.php?id=6075 |title=Webster Set To Depart The Tigers |website=Castleford Tigers |access-date=19 June 2019}}

=Lower leagues=

In August 2018, Webster signed for Bradford Bulls on a two-year deal.{{cite news|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/16589643.bradford-bulls-sign-castleford-centre-jake-webster/|title=Bradford Bulls sign Castleford centre Jake Webster|work=Telegraph and Argus|date=21 August 2018|access-date=26 September 2018}} At the end of the 2019 season and having scored 11 tries in 25 appearances for the Bulls, Webster left the club part way through his contract to join League 1 neighbours Keighley Cougars on a two-year deal.{{cite news |url=https://www.totalrl.com/jake-webster-departs-bradford-for-keighley/ |title=Jake Webster departs Bradford for Keighley |work=Total RL |date=8 October 2019 |access-date=8 October 2019}}

Webster signed a new contract with Keighley in September 2022 which came after his appointment as a commercial executive of the club. The contract saw him remain as a member of the playing squad while also transitioning to a coaching role.{{cite web |title=JAKE WEBSTER TO STAY WITH THE PRIDE |url=https://keighleycougars.uk/jake-webster-2023 |website=keighleycougars.uk |access-date=11 April 2024 |date=15 September 2022}} He would announce his effective retirement from playing at the end of the 2023 season due to troublesome knee injuries.{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Callum |title=Ex-Super League state Jake Webster details the knee problems left by rugby league as he gives verdict on new role at Keighley Cougars |url=https://www.totalrl.com/ex-super-league-star-jake-webster-details-the-knee-problems-left-by-rugby-league-as-he-gives-verdict-on-new-role-at-keighley-cougars/ |website=Total Rugby League |access-date=11 April 2024 |date=15 January 2024}}

12 months after a cancelled testimonial match, Webster made one final appearance for Keighley in a preseason testimonial match against Castleford in January 2024. Webster retired from rugby league to focus on his off-field role as director of rugby at the club.{{cite web |last1=O'Brien |first1=James |title='It means a lot': Jake Webster ready for one last hurrah against beloved Castleford Tigers |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/it-means-a-lot-jake-webster-ready-for-one-last-hurrah-against-beloved-castleford-tigers-4475039 |website=The Yorkshire Post |access-date=11 April 2024 |date=12 January 2024}}{{cite web |title=Keighley Cougars lose to strong Castleford Tigers side |url=https://www.keighleynews.co.uk/sport/24051142.keighley-cougars-lose-strong-castleford-tigers-side/ |website=Keighley News |access-date=11 April 2024 |date=16 January 2024}}

Coaching career

=Keighley Cougars=

Webster was appointed interim head coach at Keighley in 2024 after Matt Foster left the club. The appointment was made permanent in October 2024.{{cite news |title=Cougars "trust in players" as owner confirms Webster will be in charge for 2025 |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/24639222.keighley-cougars-say-jake-webster-will-remain-head-coach/ |access-date=27 February 2025 |work=Bradford Telegraph and Argus |date=9 October 2024 |language=en}}

After just one game of the 2025 league season Webster stepped down from the head coach role, following heavy defeats to Rochdale Hornet in the league and York Knights in the Challenge Cup, citing "...the negative press, my mental health and wellbeing needs..".{{cite news|website=Love Rugby League|date=26 Feb 2025|author=Aaron Bower|title=First coaching casualty of year confirmed as ‘negative press’ cited as reason for exit|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/first-coaching-casualty-of-year-confirmed-as-negative-press-cited-as-reason-for-exit}} Jordie Hedges will act as the club’s interim coach

References

External links

[https://castlefordtigers.com/player.php?id=4 Castleford Tigers profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20101101094050/http://hullkr.co.uk/teammember.php?id=2357 Hull KR profile]
[http://www.rugby-league.com/superleague/player-info/2357 SL profile]

Category:1983 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen

Category:Australian rugby league players

Category:Australian people of Greek descent

Category:Australian people of Māori descent

Category:Bradford Bulls players

Category:Castleford Tigers players

Category:Gold Coast Titans players

Category:Hull Kingston Rovers players

Category:Keighley Cougars coaches

Category:Keighley Cougars players