Titans young gun Keano Kini continues to thrill the fans and put in another electric performance to help his side claim their third consecutive win over the Broncos.
In a head-to-head battle with Brisbane star Reece Walsh in their 46-18 win, Kini matched him for tries, but won the day with the victory that keeps their finals aspirations alive.
“He’s a mean player, man, he jumped over me, he scored tries,” Kini said after the match on the broadcast.
“I love watching him play. It’s so cool to play against him and I am just glad to come out on top today.”
Keano Kini stars for the Titans
In a performance that hand everything, Kini ran for more than 200 metres, set up two tries and also scored two of his own, including one that came only moments after he returned to the field after being sent to the sin bin for tackling Ezra Mam without the ball while chasing a kick, scooping up a Jojo Fifita tap-back off his knees and managing to stay away from the sideline.
“Full credit to the boys for that one, I just wanted to find some energy when I came on and was lucky enough to be in the right sport at the right time," Kini said.
“(I am) really proud of Jojo too. He's been a hard worker and all our backs did well today.
“That win comes off the back of our forwards as well, so, collectively a team effort.
“It was so good to be a part of and especially in front of that crowd.
“It was awesome to do that in front of the home crowd; I loved it.”
Jojo Fifita and Kini were an epic combo in Round 22
Still only 20 years old, Kini has enjoyed an extended run at fullback this year after making himself impossible to leave out of the team having originally filled in for senior players AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell as the Titans battled injury, with his enthusiasm in the field helping life the side despite his smaller frame.
With the Titans now having won five of their past six matches to keep the top eight in sight, Kini’s belief in the side is only surpassed by that of his coach Des Hasler.
“We have to have that belief," Kini said.
“If Des believes it, we do, we'll back him all the way and we're still looking to getting into those finals.”
The Titans are back at home in Round 23 on Friday night and face a tough challenge against Cronulla.
“(We have to improve) our start; 10-0, I think it was two or three tries at the beginning (we let in),” Kini said.
“So definitely the start and Des said that after the Broncos game.
“There's always heaps to improve on and we need to be good against a tough back end of the year.”
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