New Zealand Test outside back Jordan Kahu has signed a one-year deal with the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys for the 2019 season.
The 28-year-old will join the Cowboys immediately after securing a release from the Brisbane Broncos.
Kahu has played 95 NRL games over six seasons since debuting for the Broncos in 2013, scoring 42 tries.
He has also made nine appearances for New Zealand and played on the wing for the Maori All Stars in last Friday’s showdown with the Indigenous All Stars.
Kahu’s versatility was a major attraction for Cowboys head coach Paul Green and Director of Football Peter Parr, with the Wellington-born outside back having spent significant time at wing, centre and fullback during his NRL career.
He also presents a solid goal-kicking option following the retirement of Johnathan Thurston, booting 145 goals from 188 attempts at 77 per cent over the course of his career.
“To pick up a player of Jordan’s ability and experience at this stage of the pre-season is a massive bonus for us,” Green said.
“He gives us depth at a number of positions, he’s a very good centre and he’s played wing and fullback as well.
“His goal kicking ability is the added bonus on top of everything else he offers.”
Parr said the club acted swiftly once Kahu became available.
“Jordan is an exceptionally good player, he can play in a number of positions, he’s a very good goal kicker and he’s a New Zealand international, so he ticks a lot of boxes,” Parr said.
“We were prepared to be patient, but when it became apparent to us that signing Jordan was a real possibility we felt no need to wait and wanted to act straight away.”
