Cowboys recruit’s eyes on role after signing up for one year
NEW Cowboys recruit Jordan Kahu has revealed his move north was prompted by the lack of game time he was getting at the Broncos.
The 184cm New Zealand Test International arrived in Townsville on Sunday night and was straight into training Monday morning.
He was spotted training at fullback yesterday as the Cowboys look for a replacement No.1 for the sacked Ben Barba.
Kahu played just 15 games for Brisbane last year after breaking his jaw in Round 2 and said he felt it was time to move on after an overabundance of backline players forced him out of a permanent position.
“I’ve been around long enough where I kind of knew I didn’t really fit in the (Broncos) team,” he said.
“I want to play NRL obviously and I didn’t see that opportunity at the Broncos unless there was an injury and I wasn’t willing to wait around. I knew I was good enough to play NRL week in, week out. Obviously when I got the feeling I wasn’t going to play, I started looking elsewhere.
“(My goal for the year) is just to play NRL. Lock down a spot and excel in that wherever I play.”
The 28-year-old played 95 games for the Broncos over six seasons and he said he was disappointed not to be able to reach 100 games for the one club.
“I was a bit disappointed not to (reach the 100 games),” he said. “I broke my jaw in Round 2 last year, against the Cowboys too, so I would’ve cracked the 100 last year.
“I’m proud of myself for making it this far after all the injuries and adversities I’ve faced over the years. Ninetyfive games, though it doesn’t seem like a lot, I’m proud of myself for getting this far. Hopefully I get to tick the 100 games off this year.”
The versatile back will be pushing for the starting fullback role but said Cowboys coach Paul Green had not guaranteed him any position.
The versatile Ben Hampton is another option for Green, along with Blackhawks allocated custodian Carlin Anderson.
“I’m keen to play fullback but I’m going to have to work for my spot here,” he said.
“The boys have been slugging it out all preseason and I’ve just rocked up so I’ll be working hard for it.
“Obviously there’s an opportunity up here but he hasn’t given me a definite spot. I’ve got two weeks to earn it.”
Cowboys prop Corey Jensen said Kahu was a great asset to the squad.
“He’s fitting in really well,” he said.
“He’s an ultimate professional. We’ve seen what he can do when he’s playing for Brisbane. He can play in numerous positions so to have him here is just going to bolster the squad even more and I can’t wait to see how he goes.
“Our systems aren’t too complicated so I’m sure it will take him no time to switch into what we do and he’ll be a great asset to our side.”