Kenny Bromwich joined older brother Jesse as a key member of the Melbourne Storm and New Zealand Kiwis line-ups. Shorter and stockier than his illustrious sibling, his utility value became a precious commodity at club and representative level.
Melbourne Storm recruited both Manurewa Marlins juniors, with Kenny playing alongside Jesse at NYC level in 2009 and ultimately playing 52 games in the under-20s. He made his NRL debut as a 21-year-old in 2013 – coming off the bench nine times – and became a regular member of Craig Bellamy’s 17 the following season. Bromwich also played in back-to-back Queensland Cup grand final losses for feeder club Easts Tigers in 2013-14.
Primarily a back-rower, Bromwich provided dummy-half cover but could also slot in out in the centres if needed. He played all 27 games for Melbourne in 2016 – including the club’s grand final loss to Cronulla – and made his Kiwis debut off the bench in the Anzac Test defeat to the Kangaroos in Newcastle, with Jesse captaining the side.
Bromwich featured in the 2017 Anzac Test and celebrated in the Storm’s resounding premiership triumph. His only appearance at the end-of-year World Cup saw him score a try in a 74-6 rout of Scotland in Christchurch after starting in the second-row.
Following the Storm’s 2018 grand final loss to the Roosters, the skilful and industrious ‘Mr Fix-it’ was an interchange in all four of the Kiwis’ post-season Tests against Australia and Great Britain.
Bromwich became a regular NRL starter for the first time in 2019, playing all 27 of Melbourne’s games in the second-row. His outstanding form at club level garnered a second-row spot in the New Zealand side for the midyear victory over Tonga, the end-of-season loss to Australia in Wollongong and the first Test against Great Britain at Eden Park.
The 28-year-old’s sensational try-saving tackle in the dying minutes on Lions winger Jermaine McGillvary secured a 12-8 win for the Kiwis. He missed the second Test in Christchurch after heading back to Melbourne for the birth of his second child.
The underrated Bromwich, who represented Māori All Stars in 2019-20 and 2022, played in his fourth grand final and secured a second NRL premiership ring in 2020 after Melbourne’s 26-20 win over Penrith, the culmination of another fine campaign in the Storm back-row for the 171-game veteran.
Bromwich played 21 games for the minor premiership-winning Storm in 2021 – exclusively as a starting second-rower. He was named in the Kiwis’ wider squad for the postponed World Cup at the end of the season.
After bringing up 200 NRL appearances early in 2022, Bromwich played 80 minutes in the second-row as New Zealand’s overwhelmed Tonga in the midyear Test, racking up 115 metres and 31 tackles and typically valuable, hardworking contribution and, unsurprisingly, secured a spot in the touring party for the England-hosted World Cup. He started in the second-row in the Kiwis’ first four matches at the tournament – scoring tries in pool wins over Lebanon and Ireland – but missed the semi-final showdown with Australia.
Brother Jesse is the only New Zealander to play more than Kenny’s 22 finals matches in the history of the premiership; the pair signed to join the fledgling Dolphins NRL franchise for 2023.
