Young flanker defies injuries
Manawatu¯ might be the only winless side in this year’s Mitre 10 Cup, but it’s going to take a lot more than that to dent the smile on the dial of loose forward Tyler Laubscher.
The 19-year-old South African-turned Kiwi is one of the most promising talents in the region, but fully appreciates every chance to run out on the field, after a horror run of injuries that took him out of the game for 20 of the past 30 months.
Laubscher’s misfortunes started in his final year at Palmerston North Boys’ High School in 2018, when the first XV co-captain busted his right knee during a pre-season game. The prognosis? Surgery and a whopping 14 months of recovery.
After finishing school, and working night shift for a few months in the factory at hockey manufacturer OBO, Laubscher was heading straight to 6am training with the Manawatu¯ academy, where he admitted it was a lonely time, being the only player on restricted duties.
Having recovered in time to play at last year’s Jock Hobbs Memorial National Under-19 Tournament, Laubscher impressed to earn a Turbos debut in the final round of last season – a win at home against Counties Manukau.
And also at that tournament came the encouragement of a 12-week training contract with the Hurricanes.
Things were tracking well. That was until grappling practice, when it was discovered Laubscher had been carrying a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
So, on December 24, Laubscher was greeted with the news he would require reconstruction surgery, setting him back another six months, which included missing out on the under-20 world championships in Argentina. Some Christmas present.
But, having just gone through his knee ordeal, Laubscher actually saw this as a relatively easy challenge.
And it’s an attitude that he has carried forward, preferring to see the bright side in his setbacks, having built up plenty of mental fortitude and now ensuring he takes nothing for granted in this game.
‘‘I’ve built a tougher skin for it,’’ he tells Stuff. ‘‘It just made me realise that every time you get to play you’ve just got to be happy and grateful, and just want to give everything you’ve got when you get on that field.’’
And play hard he sure does. Comfortable at both blindside flanker and No 8, with his 1.94m, 104kg frame, Laubscher’s game is built on that physicality that is part of the DNA of South African footy players. He is a powerful asset in and around the ruck, and over the ball.
After getting through the shoulder rehab, Laubscher, still to play any club rugby in his life, was ready for the Turbos campaign, and while his side has struggled, he has caught the eye.
He is second in the competition for defenders beaten (20) and last weekend against Bay of Plenty he managed to cross for a maiden try.
Rugby has always been a big deal for Laubscher, who was born in Cape Town.
‘‘My first-ever baby photo was me in a Springbok jersey and a rugby ball in my hands,’’ he says.
‘‘I’ll always be South African at heart, but New Zealand is very much my home now.’’
When Laubscher’s family decided to move across the world for a better life about a decade ago, they initially settled on the North Shore. But North Harbour’s loss was Manawatu¯’s gain when Laubscher’s father got a new job and they moved to Palmerston North.
Laubscher, who is signed with the Turbos through next year, now gets a chance at history, with a Ranfurly Shield challenge on Saturday against Hawke’s Bay in Napier. Manawatu¯ haven’t held the Log o’ Wood since their sole reign ended way back in 1978.
‘‘We’ve had a slow start, but when a shield game comes everything gets thrown out the window and you just focus on that,’’ Laubscher says.
‘‘We just can’t wait. The boys are all fizzing for this weekend.’’
And this tenacious teen is undoubtedly clear on how he’ll approach things once more.
‘‘Just run hard, carry hard, let’s hope for the best.’’