Former Wallabies player Richard Kingi to line up for Griffith University Colleges

Fired up former Wallabies Test representative Richard Kingi has confirmed he will come out of retirement after learning a player he was recruiting for Griffith University Colleges had signed with their archrivals.

FIRED up former Wallabies Test representative Richard Kingi has confirmed he will come out of retirement after learning a player he was recruiting for Griffith University Colleges had signed with their archrivals.

Kingi played scrumhalf for Queensland Premier Rugby club Souths last year but was set to be an assistant coach only at Gold Coast District Rugby Union defending premiers Colleges in 2019.

That is, until the 30-year-old read in the Bulletin that Surfers Paradise had announced their recruitment of highly rated Kiwi flyhalf James Durston.

Griffith University Colleges staff Richard Kingi, Johnny Ngauamo, Kurtis Smith and Christina Hickman. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“I was talking with him (Durston), I was saying ‘this is what we can do for you’,” Kingi explained.

“As all clubs do, we never offer money but we can offer a job and accommodation. That’s all he wanted.

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“When we saw it in the paper that he had signed for Surfers, we said what’s going on?

“I was really upset because I took my own personal time out of what I was doing to try to help him out and do my best for him and then he turns around and goes to Surfers.

“It takes a lot for me to get upset but when I was doing it to help someone, I was like come on mate.

Richard Kingi during a Wallabies training session in 2009.

“It would have been fine if he had have told us, wait, I’m in negotiations with Surfers; I would have gone that’s fair enough.

“I was happy to come down to the Gold Coast, put my boots in the cupboard and never see them again but simply because of this reason, now I’m putting the boots on.

“That’s one thing you can thank Surfers for: They got me out of retirement. I want to play against Surfers and I want to play against him.”

Richard Kingi playing for Souths last year. Picture: AAP Image/David Clark

Colleges and Surfers are set to meet in Round 6 – but in an intriguing twist, Dolphins co-coach Marius van der Nist revealed Durston had suddenly left Surfers Paradise in mysterious circumstances.

“I think he is still going to run out for Colleges to be honest with you,” van der Nist said.

“He is not signed with us. He played one friendly against Eagles (and then left).”

Marius van der Nist. Picture: Tertius Pickard

In other news, Surfers have added Rangi Joseph to their coaching ranks.

“He’s a big name globally,” van der Nist said.

Surfers have a first-up bye while Colleges will start their title defence against Gold Coast Eagles from 4.10pm on Saturday.

Nerang will celebrate their return to the first grade competition with a home game against Bond Pirates.