Northcote Tigers junior Keano Kini became one of the biggest Kiwis bolters of the modern era in 2023, called up for the Pacific Championships after just six NRL rookie-season appearances for Gold Coast Titans.
Kini moved from Auckland to the Gold Coast with his family and honed his craft at renowned rugby league nursery Palm Beach Currumbin State High School. The lightweight livewire was signed by the Titans and built up his senior football experience at Queensland Cup level with Burleigh Bears.
Less than a month after turning 19, Kini made his NRL debut off the bench in the Titans’ 2023 Magic Round victory over Parramatta Eels. He made two starts at fullback and another three interchange appearances before the end of the season.
Meanwhile, the versatile back won the Duncan Hall Medal as the player of the 2023 Queensland Cup grand final from the losing side, recognised for his dazzling display in the Bears’ defeat to Easts Tigers.
Kini missed out on a Test debut during the 2023 Pacific Championships, but he was a standout at fullback in Kiwis A’s win over Tonga A at Eden Park.
