Hull KR star’s future still unclear as he hopes to use World Cup to put himself “in the shop window”

On arriving in Super League, Brad Takairangi made an instant impact for Hull KR.

He was a key figure for the Robins playing either in the halves or at centre as they achieved their second highest finish in Super League and made their first ever semi-final appearance against Catalans Dragons.

However, an off-field controversy coupled with injuries has seen Takairangi struggle for game time in 2022 with last night’s game for the Cook Islands being only his second in six months.

It’s been a tough year for Takairangi but he has led his side well as captain of the Cook Islands this tournament and revealed that he has relished the chance to get back on the field presented by the Rugby League World Cup.

He said: “It’s been awesome. It obviously wasn’t the best start to the year for myself. I was actually supposed to go back and play in the mid-season test before I got injured.

“Just grateful that I could get my rehab, get into camp, get training. This was my second game in six months and I’ll be better for it.”

He also revealed that he didn’t have anything confirmed for his future as of yet as we look ahead to 2023.

Instead he wanted to use the World Cup as an opportunity to put himself in the shop window.

“Nothing yet, my plan was to come here and put myself in the shop window.”

With Wakefield Trinity and Catalans Dragons on the look for new signings and with quota spots available, perhaps we could see the versatile Takairangi play for them in 2023.