He turns 40 later this year and is old enough to be the dad of many of his team-mates.
But ex-Kiwi star Jake Webster admits he’s still loving rugby league and will carry on as long as is needed. The veteran centre celebrates his testimonial on Sunday when turning out for Keighley Cougars against former club Castleford Tigers. Webster said: “Apparently, when I debuted with Melbourne Storm in 2003 around six of this team hadn’t even been born!
“That was a ‘wow’ moment when I found that out. The boys are really good, though. They’re shocked more than anything that I’m still running around with them. But I’m excited to see them all come through. It’s time to give back to them.”
Webster, who is also on the coaching staff, played his part as Keighley won every game in League 1 last year to earn promotion to the Championship. But it was at Castleford where he delivered his finest, helping Tigers finish top for the first time in their history in 2017. They lost the Super League Grand Final to Leeds but Webster recalled: “That whole time at Cas is probably my favourite of my whole career.
“We were weeks away from going into administration when I joined in 2013. But Daryl Powell came in and the turnaround of the club was just amazing to be a part of. It was heartbreaking to lose the Grand Final but you can’t take away what we did. And I’m so glad Cas agreed to take part in my testimonial.”
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Webster played in the NRL for Melbourne and Gold Coast before moving to the UK with Hull KR in 2008. He scored 41 tries in 105 games for the Robins before starting his six-year stint with Castleford. Webster - who won the 2005 Tri-Nations with New Zealand - played briefly for Bradford before switching to Keighley. On the secret of his longevity, he added: “That year off we had with Covid helped my head and my body so that’s probably helped me keep going.
Castleford Tigers' Jake Webster celebrates after the Dacia Magic Weekend match (PA)“I didn’t do anything. I didn’t have an injury, I didn’t train, didn’t even think about rugby league. I spent time at home with my son Leo. I was umming and ahhing whether I wanted to come back. But I love the game so much and have so much to give back to it.”
Yet in many ways he hopes he DOESN’T feature this season. Webster, 39, said: “I’ve signed on for the year. I’ll play on Sunday and probably come on towards the end. But we’ve got a pretty good squad and if we can stay injury-free, hit our goals, then hopefully there’ll be no need for me to strap on the boots in the season.
“I’ll be ready if needed but I’m happy to get to the big 4-0 this year. I’m not a spring chicken anymore. I might have to send all the Cas lads a friendly text before Sunday. Then again, if I get a chance to rub their faces in the mud, I’m sure I will…"
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