Kane Linnett


Kane Linnett is a Scotland international rugby league footballer who plays as a or in the for Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League.
He has previously played for the Sydney Roosters and the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL. Linnett was a member of the Cowboys' 2015 NRL Premiership and 2016 World Club Challenge winning sides.

Background

Linnett was born in Shellharbour, New South Wales, Australia.
He grew up in Barrack Heights, a suburb of Shellharbour.
He attended Warilla High School and played junior football for both the Port Kembla Blacks and Windang Pelicans. While at high school, Linnett was a promising rugby union player, representing New South Wales Country High Schools, but ultimately decided to stick with rugby league.

Playing career

Early career

2007

In 2007, Linnett played for the Illawarra Steelers in the SG Ball Cup, earning a contract with the St George Illawarra Dragons.

2008–09

Linnett played with the Dragons' NYC side between 2008 and 2009, scoring 31 tries in 51 games, before joining the Sydney Roosters in 2010.

Playing positions

He primarily plays as a, but he can also play in the.

Senior career

Sydney Roosters (2010–11)

2010

Linnett made his National Rugby League début in round 14 of the 2010 NRL season. He ran for over 200m and scored a try in the Sydney Roosters' 38–6 win over the Melbourne Storm.
He finished the season as a member of the Roosters' 2010 NRL Grand Final team that lost to his former club, the St George Illawarra Dragons, by a score of 32–8.

2011

In 2011, Linnett was limited to just 10 NRL games. In round 23, he played on through a season-ending knee injury, scoring a try in the Sydney Roosters' 20–12 victory over the Dragons.
On 3 August 2011, he signed a two-year contract with the North Queensland Cowboys.

North Queensland Cowboys (2012–18)

2012

Linnett scored his first try for the North Queensland Cowboys in the side's round 3 match against the Parramatta Eels.
Two weeks later, in the Cowboys' round 5 win against the Canberra Raiders, Linnett set a club record for most metres by a Cowboys, with 234.
He was named the North Queensland Cowboys' 'Most Improved' for 2012, at the club's annual presentation ball.

2013

In 2013, Linnett played in every single game for the Cowboys, scoring 9 tries.
At the end of the 2013 season, Linnett represented Scotland at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, qualifying to play for them through his mother.

2014

On 11 February 2014, Linnett re-signed with the North Queensland Cowboys for a further two seasons.
Later that month, Linnett was a part of the Cowboys' victorious Auckland Nines team and was subsequently named in the 'Team of the Tournament.'

2015

In round 3 of the 2015 NRL season, Linnett played his 100th NRL game.
On 4 October 2015, he was a member of the North Queensland Cowboys' Grand Final winning side, starting a in the side's dramatic 17–16 victory over the Brisbane Broncos.

2016

On 21 February 2016, Linnett was a member of the Cowboys' World Club Challenge winning side, starting the game at in the side's 38–4 victory over the Leeds Rhinos at Headingley Stadium.
In May 2016, Linnett represented his Country Origin for the first time.
In October 2016, Linnett was named in Scotland's 2016 Four Nations squad.

2017

In round 3 of the 2017 NRL season, Linnett played his 150th NRL game in the North Queensland Cowboys' 30–8 loss to the Manly Sea Eagles.
In the Cowboys' semi-final win over the Parramatta Eels, Linnett played his 150th game for the club.
On 1 October 2017, he started at in the North Queensland Cowboys' 2017 NRL Grand Final loss to the Melbourne Storm.
Linnett played in all 28 games for the club in 2017, scoring five tries.

2018

Linnett made 12 appearances for the Cowboys in 2018, as the club struggled towards the bottom of the ladder for the entire season but won their final two games to avoid the wooden spoon.
In September 2018, it was revealed that Linnett was one of several North Queensland Cowboys' players told that they would not be offered a contract for the 2019 season.
On 13 September 2018, it was announced by the Cowboys that Linnett was one of nine players leaving the club at the end of the 2018 season.

Hull Kingston Rovers (2019 – present)

2019

On 14 November 2018, Linnett signed a three-year deal with Super League club, Hull Kingston Rovers.
On 9 January 2019, Linnett received the number 23 jersey ahead of the start of the Super League season.
On 13 January 2019, Linnett made his non-competitive Hull Kingston Rovers' début in a try scoring pre-season friendly against the Widnes Vikings, Linnett claimed a 30–16 victory with his new club.
Linnett made his first competitive appearance for Hull Kingston Rovers in round 1 of the 2019 Super League season, Linnett who started the game in the recorded a thrilling 18-16 victory over cross-city rivals Hull F.C. at Craven Park.
On 17 February 2019, in round 3 in a game against the London Broncos, Linnett scored his first try in the Super League.

Honours

Career awards and accolades

Individual

Club (North Queensland Cowboys 2012–18)

Club (North Queensland Cowboys 2012–18)

National Rugby League (2010–18)

†Denotes seasons in which Linnett won an NRL Premiership

International (2013–16)

Super League (2019 – present)