Exclusive: Hull KR star Brad Takairangi reveals ‘interest’ in him as he eyes Super League move

One rugby league player that has suffered with great adversity in 2022 is Hull KR star Brad Takairangi.

Takairangi’s year got off to the worst possible start, with the 32-year-old  two-and-a-half times over the limit when he hit a police patrol car head-on on the A63 in Hull early on 2 January.

The judge suspended Takairangi’s 12-month jail term for two years and ordered him to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work, including coaching young rugby players in Hull.

With the club also standing down the former Parramatta Eels star, it remained to be seen whether or not Takairangi would play again for Rovers.

There was hope for the 32-year-old after he worked himself back to full fitness, only to be hit hard by a hamstring injury which ended the Cook Islands international’s hopes of running out in the Rovers jersey once more.

With KR confirming Takairangi’s departure at the end of the 2022 Super League season, there has been little talk of where the rangy utility man might end up.

The former Sydney Roosters and Gold Coast Titans man has admitted to Serious About Rugby League that the World Cup is his chance to nail down another deal – whether that’s in Super League or the NRL.

“Now I’m at the back end of my rehab and fully focused on getting my body right for the World Cup which I’m really looking forward to,” Takairangi told Serious About Rugby League.

“I want to end the year on a high with the Cook Islands and I’m basically putting myself back in the shop window on the biggest stage there is for rugby league.

“At this stage I haven’t signed for a new team but my manager is working on that while I work on my rehab.”

Takairangi would be an ideal fit for Wakefield Trinity or even a top-end Championship club like Featherstone Rovers, with his ability to play in numerous positions and do it well an obvious boost.

But, he does want to stay in Super League: “That’s the plan (to stay in Super League).

“I’m open to rugby union as well, whatever opportunity arises and whatever is best for the family.

“I’ve been told there’s some interest but we will wait and see what happens.”