League: Kahu shows he belongs with Kiwis

Jordan Kahu kicks a drop goal during the Kiwis' win over England. Photo / Getty

No matter what unfolds in the third test between the Kiwis and England this week, Jordan Kahu has been one of the big success stories of this trip.

On every Kiwis tour there are always one or two new players than step forward into much greater prominence than expected, players than just look like they belong in the environment.

Kahu has been one of those men this time.

When the team was chosen he was an outsider just to make the squad, let alone the match day 17. It was expected that Curtis Rona, coming off a huge NRL season with the Bulldogs, or the experienced Gerard Beale, would fill the vacancy in the outside backs.

Kahu betrayed his modest expectations after the first training run; "I'm rapt to be here," he said at the time. "I'll still be happy if I don't play any games. I'm just happy to be in the mix."

But Kahu has done much more; he has played in every match on tour, in the unfamiliar position of centre and been involved in some key moments. He scored his first Kiwis try against Leeds, touched down again in Hull (only to have it scrubbed out by the video referee) and kicked the match-sealing field goal in the second test win in London.

"It's been amazing," admitted Kahu. "I didn't expect to play and I was just grateful for the opportunity and for my name to be put on a list with the likes of the boys that are here now."

You sense Kahu is the kind of player that will grab every opportunity, given his shocking misfortune over the last few years, with three serious knee injuries (including two reconstructions).

After finally getting a sustained shot at NRL level with the Broncos this season, he proved his worth with nine tries in 22 games. The 24-year-old also showed he has a head for the big occasion, nailing several pressure goals in the finals when Corey Parker was off the field.

And now he has brought his club form to the international arena, bound to pay off when he returns to Red Hill next year.

"I'm going to come out of this tour much more confident in my playing ability," said Kahu. "I haven't played centre most of the year and playing there with the Kiwis - I've felt more comfortable in that position. There is an opportunity for me at the Broncos next year to play centre and it's a good start for me."

Kahu is one option to replace Justin Hodges at club level, with the former skipper giving him a ringing endorsement during last season.

"I definitely see him replacing me one day," Hodges told Australian media. "When my time is up here, he will be ready to replace me. He's had some terrible luck but Jordy is an exceptional talent"

That day may come soon, if Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has been watching Kahu's three week audition in England.

But first Kahu - and the Kiwis - have one more job to do; nail a first series win in England in almost 20 years.

"It would be pretty good to take out my first series but I don't want to get too far ahead of myself and think of outcomes just yet," said Kahu. "We have a lot of work ahead of it."

"[The intensity has] been building. [There were a] lot of points in the first test and less last week. The defence from both teams will be pretty good and it's going to be a great game."

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