Kahu still feels the pain
KIWIS rookie Jordan Kahu is thankful that touring England with New Zealand will help him move on from the Broncos’ heartbreaking loss in the NRL grand final.
Kahu played on the wing in that dramatic 17-16 defeat to the Cowboys a few weeks ago and he says it’s something he may never move on from, however, he feels getting to play footy again might help.
‘‘It’s probably going to haunt me for the rest of my life,’’ Kahu said.
‘‘But that happens, it’s footy and someone’s got to lose. We were unlucky and we lost, but now I’m looking forward to the next month and have to put that behind me.
‘‘If I wasn’t playing it would have festered inside me and built up while I waited for pre-season to start.
‘‘I’m pretty lucky that I get to play again so soon and hopefully I’ll get that [feeling] out of me.’’
Kahu played on the wing or at centre for the Broncos this season, featuring in 22 games and scoring nine tries and has been lined up as Justin Hodges’ replacement on the right edge.
He could be used in either position on this tour, but is unlikely to get a run against Leeds on Saturday as Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney is looking to use the fixture as a chance to give game-time to players who haven’t been in action since the end of the NRL regular season.
However, Kahu, who had two serious knee injuries in 2011 and 2012 says physically he’s feeling fine and good to go.
‘‘My body pulled up pretty good compared to other years,’’ he said.
‘‘I had two weeks off and I really rested up then, so I’m ready to go again. I’m feeling pretty fresh.’’
Kahu should get a run over the three-test series against Hull on November 2, but the 24-year-old says he’s happy just being in the Kiwis squad for the first time. ‘‘I just rapt to be here,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ll be happy even if I don’t play a game. It would be nice to put on that black jersey and get a couple of games."With the likes of the players I’m playing with, it’s going to give me some confidence to put some belief into myself.’’
One issue Kahu will have to deal with over the tour is the smaller in-goals they have in England compared to the NRL. It was a concern for the Kangaroos and Kiwis at the 2013 World Cup and the Sharks’ Luke Lewis picked up a serious shoulder injury sliding into an advertising hoarding in Australia’s game against Fiji.
‘‘As an outside back, you’ve got to be aware of that,’’ Kahu said.
‘‘If the ball goes there I’ve got to make sure I either tap it dead or take the ball out. I’ll make sure I check that before every game if I’m playing.’’