Kiwi-NRL Spotlight: Keano Kini Continues To Soar With Gold Coast Titans
In Aotearoa Keano Kini was a low key star at Rosmini College, Northcote Tigers Rugby League, Aotearoa Maori Rugby League and everything else from athletics to tag. That excellence was overlooked by many and just like Kini's rise with Gold Coast Titans, no one really expected Kini to snatch the starting fullback role and out-play Reece Walsh in the second win for Titans over Brisbane Broncos this year.
Tap in with prior Kiwi-NRL Spotlights on Kini...
Aotearoa Kiwis Development Bump
Throughout this journey, Kini has elevated with each checkpoint thrown in front of him. A move to Australia saw Kini dominate with Palm Beach Currumbin High School. This led to summer training with the Titans NRL squad straight out of school and Kini stepped up to play six NRL games the following season. Having plugged holes at fullback and picking up game time on the bench, Kini earned Aotearoa Kiwis squad selection last year and that propelled him into a fabulous 2024 season.
2023: 6 games, 1 linebreak, 104m/game, 1 forced droppie, 65.2% tackling
2024: 13 games, 5 tries, 6 try assists, 8 linebreaks, 203m/game, 2 forced droppies, 71.8% tackling
Kini has started at fullback in 12 of his 13 games this season. Prior to round 10, Kini started two games at fullback and since round 10 he has started 10 games at fullback. In this post-round 10 phase, Kini has six wins and with a stint coming off the bench vs Eels in round 19, Kini has won five of his last six games.
It seems like Kini has graduated from Queensland Cup after playing for Tweed in rounds six and seven. They were two wins for Tweed, scoring 35+ points in both games and Kini had two try assists in both games with a total of 14 tackle breaks. Somehow Kini's mahi in Queensland Cup isn't quite as good as his NRL stuff...
2023: 14 games, 5 tries, 13 try assists, 14 linebreaks, 199m/game, 66.1% tackling
2024: 2 games, 1 try, 4 try assists, 2 linebreaks, 190m/game, 55.5% tackling
One undercover aspect of Kini's skillset is his offloading. His speed with a dash of power helps Kini burst through defences, enabling him to offload as defenders reach for a legs tackle. Kini has eight offloads in his last four games and he is averaging 1.3 offloads per game, which looks lovely alongside his 4.3 tackle breaks per game this season.
Kini has already spent time in Aotearoa Kiwis camp so it's likely that he will stay aligned with Kiwis, while also eligible for Samoa. Many folks had no idea who the likes of Kini, Naufahu Whyte and Wiremu Greig were when Michael Maguire called them into the Aotearoa Kiwis squad, now Kini and Whyte could soon emerge as top-17 NZ Kiwis with Greig capable of elevating to that level as well.
Right now, Kini is the form fullback for Aotearoa Kiwis. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was excellent last year with immense mana on show as he helped NZ beat Australia while battling a hefty injury. Nicoll-Klokstad seems better suited to the physicality and defensive craft required at the international level, although Kini is simply playing better footy. Kini's speed and skill would be fascinating alongside top-tier halves including his Titans matua Kieran Foran, all of whom will be playing behind a fabulous forward pack.
Titans are now hunting a finals spot and it's hard to imagine Kini losing his fullback spot given how Titans are performing at the moment. Kini is the epitome of humble and he will do whatever coach Des Hasler needs of him, so stay tuned for how Kini impacts a funky finals push for Titans. However this season plays out, expect Kini to be in the Aotearoa Kiwis squad and along with the growing list of Kiwi-NRL youngsters, he will settle as a long term international player.
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