Titans star Keano Kini to undergo surgery on neck injury

Gold Coast fullback Keano Kini’s season is in limbo, with Kiwi star set to undergo delicate neck surgery that will sideline him for at least four months.

Titans fullback Keano Kini will undergo delicate neck surgery that will sideline the Kiwi sensation for at least four months.

Kini received confirmation from a spinal specialist on Thursday that he requires surgery on a bulging disc.

The operation means Gold Coast’s reigning player of the year will be sidelined until at least round 20.

The Titans confirmed the news on Thursday afternoon.

“The Titans can confirm Keano Kini will undergo surgery to repair a bulging disk early next week following specialist consultation on Thursday morning,” the club said.

“The club looks forward to seeing Keano return to play post the Origin period later this year.”

Keano Kini will be sidelined for at least four months, with the star fullback to undergo neck surgery. Picture: Getty Images

STAR FULLBACK’S IMMEDIATE NRL FUTURE IN LIMBO

Des Hasler is confident fullback sensation Keano Kini will play again in 2025 as the Titans livewire faces the prospect of spinal surgery.

Kini will consult a specialist on Thursday after scans detected a potentially serious neck injury which has clouded the immediate future of Gold Coast’s reigning Paul Broughton Medallist.

Kini, 20, has been ruled out of Friday night’s clash against the Roosters at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium and is facing up to six months on the sidelines.

Early indications suggest Kini will be on ice until at least round 20 if he is forced to go under the knife.

Keano Kini of the Titans is facing an extended stint on the sidelines. Picture: NRL Imagery

“He will consult the specialist (on Thursday) and work through what the scenarios will be,” Hasler said.

“If I’m a betting man, I’m not a doctor, but if I’m putting on my cap to say what I think might happen, he will have a prolonged absence.

“Not an entire year. There’s rumours getting out that he’s going to be out for the entire season, no.

“He will be out for a length of time. What that time is and what it entails, we’ll know in the next 48 hours.”

Kini ran for 221m in the Titans win over the Knights. Picture: NRL Imagery

Kini played the full 80 minutes against Newcastle last Saturday night, running for 221 metres and playing a key role in the Titans’ 26-6 defeat of the Knights at Cbus Super Stadium.

It was one of Gold Coast’s best performances since Hasler took charge of the club last year.

Kini then trained on Monday, but reported neck soreness after the session, prompting Titans medicos to send him off for scans.

Kini joins injured Titans playmakers Kieran Foran (biceps) and Carter Gordon (back) on the sidelines, leaving Hasler short of options in key positions.

With Jayden Campbell and AJ Brimson playing in the halves, Kini will be replaced by one-game rookie Jaylan de Groot for the Roosters game.

Kini reported neck soreness after training on March 24. Picture: Getty Images

De Groot was clocked at 37.2kmh in his NRL debut last year, making him the second-fastest player in the 2024 competition behind Manly flyer Jason Saab (37.7kmh).

“Jaylan de Groot gets to come in and he’s acquitted himself well in the past. This is his moment and chance,” Hasler said.

“He’s not a rookie. He’s played there a couple of times now.

“He acquitted himself really well there last year against the Knights and has trained a whole off-season there.

“I’m very confident about Jaylan.

“The side will go on, just like we do every week.”

Originally published as Titans star Keano Kini to undergo surgery on neck injury