WATCH: Hull KR centre Kane Linnett eyes World Cup chance with Scotland

The experienced Australian has become an integral part of the Robins side after signing from North Queensland Cowboys ahead of last season.

This year, he has been joined by a familiar face in New Zealand star Kenny-Dowall, who was his team-mate during his formative years at Sydney Roosters.

The pair were starting centres for the Roosters in the 2010 Grand Final, a team managed by former Hull FC coach Brian Smith, that was eventually over-powered by Wayne Bennett’s St George Illawarra.

In contrast, now they are playing under Smith’s younger brother Tony in East Yorkshire and looking to fight their way clear from the bottom of Super League.

Linnett said: “We’ve talked about it a couple of times. It’s crazy the way rugby league can see you end up.

“We’re on the other side of the world together now and it’s 10 years on. We’re in Super League together and at the same club so it’s funny how things end up.

“But it is good to play alongside him again. We’re just not the young boys anymore – we’re the old boys!”

Linnett was just 21 at the time, his colleague 22, but now they are the mature heads offering the threat out wide for Rovers and using all their experience and nous to lead their defensive line.

Although born in Brisbane, Linnett qualifies for Scotland through his Scottish-born mother and he made his international debut the last time the World Cup was held here in 2013.

He loved the experience and also featured with them in the 2016 Four Nations.

Linnett featured against the Kangaroos, ironically at Hull KR’s ground, in the latter and also in Scotland’s famous 18-18 draw with New Zealand at Workington.

Although he missed the last World Cup in 2017, he has pledged to return with the Bravehearts in next year’s event when they face Italy and Fiji in Newcastle as well as champions Australia at Coventry in their pool games.

Tickets for the tournament went on sale yesterday and Linnett revealed: “I’d love to play. Obviously, I missed the last one as I had to get elbow surgery and the Cowboys didn’t really want me to play.

“They wanted me to get that right for the next season. But I really enjoyed my time with Scotland and I’m coming towards the end of my career now so it would be a great chance to pull that jersey on one more time in a World Cup.

“Hopefully everything goes well next year and I’m healthy and able to get into that team.”

Linnett turns 32 in January when he enters the final season of his three-year contract with the Robins.

Would he like to stay on beyond that or will the World Cup be his swansong on these shores before heading back home to the NRL?

“I don’t think I’ll be heading back to the NRL,” said the player, whose career highlight was winning the 2015 Grand Final against Brisbane Broncos as the Cowboys lifted their first-ever title.

“I’d like to finish off over here, I think. The body’s feeling good and having a fair bit of time off this year has probably helped me – although probably not this week as I’m a bit sore after a hectic few weeks. If the body’s still feeling good next year I’d like to go around another couple of years but that’s a fair way off yet.

“I just want to take it week by week.”

Rovers face Leeds Rhinos in Super League on Thursday, less than a week after being knocked out of the Challenge Cup by them.

They were 24-0 down inside just 20 minutes and never stood any real chance of recovering.

Linnett admitted: “It was very disappointing.

“I don’t think any of us saw that happening but it sometimes does in football.

“There’ll be a few new boys in the team on Thursday and some fresh bodies. We’re looking for a response.

“We don’t want to end up on the bottom of the ladder, even though there’s no relegation.

“We want to do the club proud and we know we let ourselves down last week.”

He is up against Harry Newman, the elusive centre who is already in England coach Shaun Wane’s thoughts ahead of the 2021 World Cup.

Linnett said: “He’s got a big future. He’s only 20 years old, is very fast, has good feet and is quite strong so I think his main thing is to keep working hard, stay grounded and there’s no doubt he’ll have a good career.”

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James Mitchinson