Former Bronco Jordan Kahu reveals his fury at being offloaded to the Cowboys in the off-season
Former Bronco Jordan Kahu has revealed his fury at Brisbane’s hierarchy after he was offloaded to the Cowboys. Read that and more in today’s Blindside with Peter Badel and Travis Meyn.
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New Cowboys recruit Jordan Kahu has launched a stinging attack on Broncos hierarchy over his swift departure from the club.
Kahu has set the scene for an explosive Cowboys-Broncos derby at Suncorp Stadium next Friday night after blasting Brisbane management for his sudden exit from Red Hill.
The Kiwi Test utility says his move to North Queensland was so swift he didn’t have time to say goodbye to his Broncos teammates and revealed he broke down as he signed the release forms.
“The day I departed the Broncos was as sad and emotional as I have been,” Kahu told The Players Voice website.
“I had been around long enough to know I wasn’t fitting into the new coach’s plans. It was frustrating and it hurt. I had to make a break.
“My emotions were all over the shop when I arrived with my fiancee, Jess, and our two young kids, Jayla and Jude, to sign the release papers. Disappointment was foremost in my mind, but I was also pissed-off.
“I thought about leaving all of my good mates at the club and the aching regret that there wouldn’t be time to properly thank and farewell them all – not with the NRL season just a few weeks away.
“When I picked up the pen to sign those release papers at the football office, I started crying.
“I really wanted to say goodbye to my Broncos teammates face-to-face but there was no time. I had to be in Townsville for training the next day. All I could do was text them, which wasn’t the way I wanted to do it. But this is professional sport.
“I can’t wait to come out and prove people wrong – and prove the Cowboys right for signing me.”
Bird: I wasn’t eating Maccas
BRONCOS centre Jack Bird has hit back at suggestions he eats too much fast food.
Bird stripped 7kg during the off-season to run out against the Storm last night at 92kg.
His debut season in Brisbane last year was one to forget as Bird struggled with injuries and his ballooning weight.
He revealed Broncos players were given cards which allowed them to gorge on McDonald’s, but Bird said his love for fast food was overstated.
“Last year everyone was carrying on about Maccas – I wasn’t eating Maccas every day,” he said.
“I’m like anyone else. If you’re hungry and didn’t want to cook something you go and get it.
“I don’t mind my pizzas, but it’s not really that. It’s the little things like I used to eat a lot of bread and carbs. I’ve cut that out.
“When I was at Cronulla I probably used to eat more junk food because I travelled from Wollongong to Cronulla every day and there is about four Maccas on the way.”
Bird is hoping to win back his NSW Origin jersey this year.
James comes to Bryce’s defence
TITANS captain Ryan James has taken it upon himself to transform Bryce Cartwright into a better defender.
Cartwright has long been criticised for his poor defence and was slammed last year following a series of weak efforts.
He has worked hard on becoming a better defender during the pre-season, which has included intense wrestling sessions.
“We’ve done a lot of wrestling and the boys have been ripping into me,” Cartwright said.
“Ryan James is always into me. He is hard to wrestle. And big Jarrod Wallace.
“Pound for pound Tyrone Peachey is pretty strong and also Mitch Rein.
“But Ryan is definitely the strongest out of everyone.”
Lockyer makes his footy comeback
DARREN Lockyer is making a comeback ... sort of.
The Broncos legend has laced up the boots again, this time on the touch football field.
Lockyer has taken up a new role as an ambassador for Touch Rugby League and led from the front by reprising his silky skills in a hitout at Kedron a fortnight ago.
Lockyer had minor knee surgery last year but is back fighting fit and plans to keep playing the game. The Queensland Origin icon is an avid runner in retirement and has dropped about 5kg from his playing days.
“It was a good solid cardio workout,” he said.
“It’s played at a fast pace and being allowed to kick the ball on any tackle brings in another dimension to traditional touch football where you can’t kick.
“There’s also the tactical element where you get two points if a female scores so that’s something to consider when setting up tries.
“I will look to play with different teams each time at different venues. My primary objective other than creating awareness for TRL is about growing participation in another form of rugby league and at the same time enjoying the experience of the game itself.”
Comedian fails to read the crowd
THE Cowboys’ superb season launch last week was marred by a disgraceful performance from a foul-mouthed woman who won’t be the next Seinfeld.
Hired to celebrate international women’s day, the amateur comedian left guests shaking their heads with a stream of crass jokes.
Cowboys chairman Laurence Lancini was so filthy he wanted her hauled off stage. Suffice to say, she won’t be back next year.
Dearden comes of age
THE Broncos’ hottest young prospect is officially allowed to play in the NRL.
Boom halfback Tom Dearden turned 18 on Wednesday, the minimum age required to play first grade.
Despite his tender years, Dearden is sitting fourth in the Broncos’ pecking order of playmakers.
Kodi Nikorima and Anthony Milford got first crack against the Storm in Melbourne last night and Roosters recruit Sean O’Sullivan is their back up.
Dearden burst into NRL contention on the back of a strong pre-season and impressive performances in the trials.
Coach Anthony Seibold admitted Dearden was in the mix to make his NRL debut this year.
Scott has a crack at Mal
CLEVER quip of the pre-season goes to Cowboys prop Matt Scott. The Queensland Origin enforcer couldn’t help but have a dig at his former Maroons coach Mal Meninga when the pair shook hands at the Cowboys-Titans trial on the Sunshine Coast last month.
It was the first time Scott had seen the Kangaroos coach since Meninga agreed to a contract with the Titans as head of culture and performance.
“Where will you go next Mal, are you going to the highest bidder these days?” Scott said with a laugh.
Meninga chuckled before reminding Scott he picks the Australian team, replying: “Do you still want your Test jumper back, ‘Thumper’?”
Membership battle heats up
WAYNE Bennett and Anthony Seibold are waging a battle off the field.
The Broncos have overtaken South Sydney in the membership battle after the Bunnies pulled ahead last month.
The Broncos kicked off their 2019 campaign last night with 30,180 members, the best tally of support in the NRL.
And the good news is that the members they have added in the last month is helping the flood relief effort in Townsville.
The Broncos have pledged to donate $5 for every Derby Deal Membership sold, that includes member benefits and a seat at the March 22 blockbuster against the Cowboys, to the Vinnies’ North Qld Flood Appeal.
They have sold thousands already, with plenty more expected to be snapped up over the next week for the clash that consistently packs crowds of 45,000-plus into Suncorp Stadium.
Equality gone mad
THE NRL has taken political correctness to a whole new level.
The NRLW premiership trophy has been designed to be exactly the same weight as the men’s NRL trophy.
The trophies look nothing like each other, however both tip the scales above 30kg. When checked in for flights in hard cases, they are around 39kg.
The NRL wanted to ensure equality between the competitions when it designed the trophy, however it is hard for some of the female players to hoist alone given how heavy it is.
NRL STOCKS
RISING
Todd Greenberg – The NRL boss should be applauded for his hardline stance on player behaviour, regardless of what the disadvantaged clubs think.
Alex Johnston – Has held off Greg Inglis for the Rabbitohs No. 1 jersey and gets a chance to shine in his favoured position.
Mal Meninga – The Immortal has given the Gold Coast Titans some serious clout and should have a positive impact on their performance.
Jordan Kahu – Got punted from the Broncos but has grabbed the North Queensland No. 1 jersey and is determined to not let it go.
FALLING
Peni Terepo – As if NRL players hadn’t had enough warnings, the Eels forward landed himself in hot water for behaving poorly on an international flight.
Josh McGuire – Hasn’t started on the bench in an NRL game for nearly six years but has found himself without a starting spot in his first game for North Queensland.
Payne Haas – The Broncos sensation has cost himself some momentum to start the year and a certain Round 1 spot due to an off-field issue.
Anthony Don – The Titans cult hero has been a consistent performer over recent seasons but has missed out on a Round 1 spot.
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