Ipswich Jets winger Peter Gubb is hoping to re-find the form that saw the former Wynnum Manly Seagulls cult hero selected for the XXXX Queensland Residents side in 2013.
The New Zealand-born gun won an Intrust Super Cup premiership with Wynnum in 2012 alongside the likes of Jake Granville, Nat Barnes, Dane Carlaw, Luke Dalziel-Don and current Jets forward Ben Shea.
The 30-year-old said long-time friend Shea was a big reason why he chose to play for the Jets in 2019.
“Ben has been one of my closest mates since I came to Australia,” Gubb said.
“He came out here to Ipswich last season and was named in the competition’s Team of the Year.
“It looked like he was really enjoying his footy.”
Since joining the Jets in 2018, Shea has had a new lease on life and has quite literally taken his game to new level.
Whilst the Jets have a formidable forward pack that includes 2018 Petero Civoniceva Medallist Nat Neale, Shea consistently maintains a high work rate, clocking up big metres.
Last year Gubb won the BRL A Grade premiership with the Seagulls, but admits being dropped to BRL impacted his confidence.
“I didn’t have the best year in 2018... I was dropped from the team and found myself in BRL," Gubb said.
“I wasn’t really sure where I stood at Wynnum going into the 2019 pre-season.
“There was a six-week period where I was feeling sick to the stomach before training, so I had a chat to Ben and Shane and they were pretty keen on the idea of me joining the Jets for the 2019 season."
Gubb has since played two games for the Jets in the opening four rounds of competition and said he was loving the change of scenery.
“Here at the Jets everyone is very relaxed,” Gubb said.
“Ben and Shane don’t force you to do anything... they just expect you to do a job and perform to the best of your ability.
“I think the biggest difference between Seagulls and Jets is that Wynnum have a similar setup to what you’d imagine an NRL club to be like.
“I think that’s why I’ve been enjoying my time at the Jets. We still do all the same things; drink protein, work hard in the gym, have ice baths... but it’s not compulsory and it’s on the player to own their performance.
“They trust you to do a job and if you’re not performing they’ll tap you on the shoulder and let you know."
Gubb is known for his powerful running game and tackle-busting ability and was initially worried about how long it would take to adapt to the Jets style of attack.
“I was worried about adapting to the Jets style of play but everything has just sort of fallen in to place," Gubb said.
“The best thing about the Jets' structure is they work around the strengths of the players in the team."
