New NSW Captain Jake Trbojevic just needs to be his own man and not change his ways as he prepares for one of his biggest weeks in his Origin career.
That’s the opinion of fellow Blues star and 2021 Wally Lewis Medal winner in Jake’s injured brother Tom, who will miss the Origin series this season after suffering a hamstring injury for Manly against the Dolphins a fortnight ago.
“Jake doesn’t need to change anything. He is a leader in the way he holds himself on the field and the way he talks off it,’’ Tom said today.
“It’s not about trying to be a leader the way other people have been. It’s just about being himself.
“He is a very passionate guy and he shows that with the way he talks, so he just needs to keep doing that.”
Tom revealed he was with his parents on Sunday afternoon when Jake rang to inform them of the good news.
Jake becomes the 21st captain of NSW and just the fifth Manly junior behind Roy Bull, Alan Thompson, Max Krilich and Geoff Toovey to captain NSW.
“It’s a special moment for Jake and our family. Mum was stoked. It will be awesome for him,’’ Tom added.
“I passed on my congratulations to him. Obviously, Jake was very excited and a bit nervous about the opportunity. He works so hard and he deserves it. He will do a great job.
“We’re all very proud of him. Not too many people get an opportunity to play for NSW, yet alone captain it.
“He is in an elite tier of people there and it is something that he should be proud of.”
Tom added that Jake would have gained plenty of leadership experience playing under previous Blues captains in Boyd Cordner and James Tedesco, as well as his own skipper at Manly in Daly Cherry-Evans.
Ironically, Trbojevic begins his Origin career as NSW captain up against Cherry-Evans, who again leads Queensland. It is the first time Manly has had two Origin captains for the same match.
“Boyd and James were different leaders but very good in their own right. Boyd was so passionate, and ‘Teddy’ is such an exceptional player with his talk on the field,’’ Tom said.
“Jake has obviously had some experience as ‘Chez’ has been the captain here (at Manly) for a very long time and has done a very good job.
“You learn different things off different people, so he would have certainly plenty from all the people he has been captained by. It will help shape his journey as captain.
“It’s funny how it has worked out with Daly and Jake being captains.
“I guess we’re lucky as a club to have both of them at Manly. But they will be enemies come Wednesday night.”
Younger brother Ben, who has established himself as a starting second-rower for Manly this season, believes Jake will be a natural when it comes to the captaincy role.
“I’m so happy for Jake. He really deserves it. I know he will be a great leader for the Blues,’’ Ben added.
“Jake is the type of player that doesn’t do the big plays but does every bit of the tough work that will help the team.”
As for the parents in John and Melissa Trbojevic, well, it’s safe to say it will be a big night out at Homebush for the much-loved family.
“We’re all so proud of Jake,’’ a beaming Melissa said.
“Jake just has to be Jake. He will be a great leader.”
