Keano Kini is ready to step into the breach left by Kalyn Ponga’s arm injury, promising to 'play my own footy' should he be catapulted into the role against Cook Islands.
Ponga announced himself on the international stage as one half of a King Kong v Godzilla match-up with Australia’s Reece Walsh on Thursday night - only to be forced off 20 minutes after suffering a broken left arm as Australia snatched an enthralling 24-22 win at Allianz Stadium.
The man who replaced him with 10 to go was 22-year-old Gold Coast fullback Kini, who looks certain to wear the No.1 jersey next week.
“We all know the player Kalyn Ponga is,” Kini said.
“If that does rest on me, I’ll just play my own footy and I l know what sort of footy I can play so I back myself all day.
“That stuff doesn’t faze me.“
While Roosters coach Trent Robinson, in his role as a TV pundit, observed the Kiwis’ attack seemed built around Ponga, Kiwis boss Stacey Jones characterised the Novocastrian as “a beneficiary” of New Zealand’s dominance up front.
Australia v New Zealand – Round 1, 2026
And Jones was convinced Kini would reap the same benefits.
“Keano, the campaign he had for us last year - it was tough leaving him out because of the player he is,” the former champion half said.
“It’s obvious what Kalyn’s been doing but look, Keano's a handy footy player and he was one our best players last year. Again, the type of player he is, he’ll feed off what these guys do up front.
Kalyn Ponga Try
“He’s the obvious player to come in and he’s been with the team... it’s his third year this year, his third campaign so he knows what’s required.”
Kini, who under the six-man bench rule new to the international game, did not know if he would get on: reflected: “Kalyn’s always awesome to watch, he sort of inspires me and it’s awesome to watch him put on a New Zealand jumper and he did his nation proud.
“I didn’t get to do too much out there but I guess the job for me is to stay ready.
“We’ll just see how he goes. If that challenge comes I’ll take it with both hands. I’ve represented the Kiwis before and I know how much it means.
“We’ve got a bit of fire in the belly now, the motivation to charge up again now.”
Auckland-born Kini is in the fortunate position of having played only just over 10 times as many club games as Tests.
Reece Walsh Try
Reflecting on a contest that was more like an entire tournament in 80 minutes, he said: “It was crazy. I was getting a bit nervous there when they were telling me I was about to go on but I was just grateful to get on and grateful to watch a good spectacle like that.
“For him (Ponga) to play through that, score that try... I’m pretty sure he fended with that arm so it was pretty impressive, man.
“Those games with Aussie are always tough, physical games and I thought we were on top for most of the game. It was awesome to see the boys play like they did. We missed a couple of opportunities and unfortunately a couple of the boys got injured.
“It’s a long tournament and we move onto next week.”
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