After watching his father Tom Learoyd-Lahrs step up in the All Stars arena for the Indigenous side, Kaiden Lahrs is ready for the role reversal.
Learoyd-Lahrs played in the first ever All Stars game in 2010, but this time it will be him and wife Amber in the stands to support his son as he makes his debut.
“It's definitely a pretty special feeling, it's obviously something I wanted to do as a young fella, coming and watching my old boy playing it; it’s pretty exciting,” Lahrs said of becoming only the second father-son duo to play All Stars. Jayden Campbell and his pioneering father Preston Campbell were the first last year.
“Definitely, that's been something that's been pretty cool, getting the opportunity to play in the side that Dad played in.
“It's something I don’t take lightly.
“The old boy, in his own way, I can tell he's pretty pumped, pretty excited.
“Just ringing up, texting me, seeing how the camp's going.
“He just loves knowing how I'm going, how I'm feeling.
“Getting ready for the games, he is sort of letting you do your own thing, but he is just a proud dad definitely.”
For proud Kamilaroi / Bundjalung man Lahrs, it has been made even more special by the fact his is making his debut in a team that features Jack Wighton, a former team-mate of his dad.
Wighton, named in the centres, will continue his reign as the most-capped Indigenous men’s player, running out for his ninth appearance. Forward Josh Kerr is just behind him with eight.
“I know they played in Canberra together, so obviously, that's a pretty special moment,” Lahrs said.
“I've known Jack for years and grew up idolising him and I get to go out there and actually take the field with him, so it's a pretty special moment.
“Looking forward to going out there and play beside him.”
Culturally, Lahrs said the camp was helping him build on the knowledge base that had been instilled in him by his grandmother.
“Learning more and more as the years go on, Nan is probably a big driving factor of learning new culture,” Lahrs said.
“She made sure me and my cousins at a young age knew who we were and where we came from, which was pretty special feeling.
“Obviously, I am not the darkest blackfella, but I'm definitely proud to be a blackfella.
“The shake-a-leg, I am not the best at it but having a go.
“That's what a lot of the other boys are saying … you're going to look silly if you don't go out there and have a go.
“I feel like I'm getting better at it anyway. I'm not going to lie, I've been trying to do a bit more practice.”
Lahrs made his NRL debut for the Cowboys in Round 15 last year, going on to play seven games and was hoping to use this match and camp experience to grow his football knowledge as well.
“I think it's definitely a good opportunity for everyone, especially young fellas that haven't had as many games as the other older fellas,” Lahrs said.
“It's definitely a good opportunity for some of us to go out there and show what we're made of.
“I've already learned so much.
“I've only been in the camp for less than a week and I feel like I'm learning so much, especially from Big Shaq [Shaquai Mitchell] and Kerry [Josh Kerr], older fellas that have played the game, they know how to play it the right way.
“Just trying to be a sponge and just ask questions and I think I've been annoying a few of them, but I just want to ask questions and learn and improve.
“They're definitely, the leaders of the group.
“They have something to say, tell the, all the boys sit there, listen and actually take what they have to say on board, just cos, yeah, they've been there, they've done it.
“Some of the best players in the comp, so you'd be mad not to take their advice on board.”
Match: Maori v Indigenous
Round 1 -
home Team
Maori
away Team
Indigenous
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
