The Titans‘ finals hopes have suffered a massive blow with match-winning fullback Keano Kini likely to miss the remainder of the season.
One of the most exciting ball runners in the league, Kini sustained a serious neck injury in the impressive win over the Knights last weekend.
A visit to the specialist this week has confirmed the club’s worst fears – that Kini will need to undergo surgery on the neck and could be sidelined for up to five months.
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Kini is the reigning Paul Broughton Medallist as Titans player of the year and was a key man in Des Hasler’s plans for a finals push this season.
Keano Kini has suffered an awful injury. NRL Imagery
He has been replaced by promising speedster Jaylan de Groot for this weekend’s visit to the Roosters.
The 22-year-old scored on debut in his lone NRL game last season and is a player of promise but lacks Kini’s ability to win games from the all-important fullback spot.
FARAH CLONE SET TO DISAPPOINT RIVALS
NRL clubs waiting to pounce on boom Tigers hooker Tallyn Da Silva are set to be disappointed.
The talented 19-year-old – whose dummyhalf work is similar to that of Tigers legend Robbie Farah – comes off contract at the end of 2026 and can talk to rival clubs come November 1.
Tallyn Da Silva. Getty
But Tigers boss Shane Richardson knows a star of the future when he sees one and he plans to have Da Silva under lock and key on a long-term deal well before season’s end.
Da Silva combined superbly with veteran Api Koroisau in the upset win over the Dolphins, with both scoring tries.
CLUBS LINING UP FOR DRAGONS YOUNG GUN
The Dragons are going to have to fight hard to retain one of their most promising up-and-comers.
Finau Latu, a powerful lock, is off contract at the end of the season and can negotiate with rival clubs after round six of the NSW Cup.
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The 19-year-old played for the Australian Schoolboys in 2023 and last season, he helped the Dragons break a 32-year SG Ball drought.
“Finau is a great kid and clubs are lining up for a chance to talk to him,” his manager Mick Chebi told Wide World of Sports.
STAR ON THE OUTER?
Which big-name back on big dollars is proving a headache for his club?
He’s showing that he’s not to worth the massive deal he was given and the club is looking to offload him – either to England or a rival NRL club.
It’s not his behaviour or attitude that is an issue – more the fact that he leaks points at an alarming rate.
But to get him off their hands, the club would have to pay a significant amount of his lavish contract for the next couple of years.
