Running out for Scotland at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup has given North Queensland centre Kane Linnett a taste of playing for his country – NSW Country, that is.
While keen to impress new Cowboys coach Paul Green, Linnett, 25, said the long-term plan was to make NSW Country mentor Trent Barrett sit up and take notice after savouring his first taste of rep footy last year.
Thanks to his Scottish mother, Linnett joined the likes of fellow NRL players Peter Wallace and James McManus on the Bravehearts’ journey to the World Cup quarter-finals.
“It was awesome. I had a really good time over there,” Linnett told reporters in Townsville on Tuesday.
“I’ve never really played any rep footy … hopefully I can play a bit more rep footy down the track.
“Hopefully I can start the season off well and I might be able to get into that Country team and show them what I can do.
“I’m coming into my fifth year in the NRL now and I’m definitely a lot more experienced and I’d love to get that opportunity this year.
“You can talk it but you’ve really got to perform on the field so I look forward to doing that.”
Linnett – a former Port Kembla junior in the Wollongong district – will back himself to usurp the likes of 2013 Country centres Jamal Idris and Jack Wighton ahead of the annual clash with City, this year at Dubbo on May 4.
He has scored 21 tries from 49 games for the Cowboys but, unfortunately, will be best remembered for his last-gasp disallowed effort in North Queensland’s 2013 finals loss to Cronulla.
Still, Linnett is looking on the bright side 12 months after being hospitalised with an arm infection, ruling him out of the entire 2013 pre-season.
He recovered to be one of only two Cowboys to play all 25 games last year.
“It was a massive setback,” Linnett said.
“I was unwell there for a good month or so and, this year, I really want to get into the season flying and hopefully get a really good start to the year and get up the top of that ladder.
“I’d love to play in at least one of (the pre-season trials) and then hopefully play in the (Auckland) Nines – that’d be a good experience.”