Written by Joshua Dean
Photo by AAP Image/Renae Droop
He is the rapping, hip-hop producing rugby league player.
Last Saturday night Jamayne Taunoa-Brown started and played 40 minutes for the Indigenous All-Stars on the Gold Coast. It was a special night for a 23-year-old who only recently could be found rapping around Melbourne.
Now he has shot at being an interchange player for the New Zealand Warriors NRL side. With forwards dropping left right and centre at the Auckland-based club, there’s every chance we will see Taunoa-Brown playing first grade in 2020.
He had a solid 2019 for the Norths Devils, scoring five tries in 24 appearances, while also averaging nine offloads and 74 run metres a game.
This garnered the attention of the Warriors recruitment boss Peter O’Sullivan, who told the New Zealand Herald he thinks the young prop has a strong career ahead of him.
“He has always been a player I have had time for. I thought he was the best-attacking prop in the Queensland Cup last year when he was with Norths Brisbane, that’s beyond any doubt,” he said.
“I brought him to New Zealand to train and trial. He has been terrific and the coaches want to keep him. We are hoping to upgrade him into the top squad next year.”
If Jamayne does well for the Warriors he may finally find a permanent home after having lived in five different cities over the past four years. He has a lot of potential and this opportunity could see him end up a starting prop in the NRL for years to come.
As always in the rugby league, time will tell.
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