Kalani Going

With a surname like his, the Whangarei-born Kalani Going has to have a background in rugby union and he certainly does. His grandfather is Brian Going, he of the legendary Northland trio alongside his brothers Sid (Super Sid as he was called) and Ken. They had a telepathic understanding on the rugby union field best evidenced by a triple scissors play they perfected which completely bamboozled defences. Going, Going, gone it was termed.
Kalani Going was scouted and signed by Canberra. He played at SG Ball Cup (under-18) level for the Raiders in 2014 and 2015, under-20s in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and New South Wales Cup for feeder side the Mounties in 2018. He couldn’t break through so he headed to the Queensland Cup playing for Tweed Seagulls in 2018 and 2019. Still no joy so back home he went to Northland where he worked on the family farm and returned to union making the province’s NPC side.
There was still a yearning for rugby league, though. He enjoyed the game and wanted to have another crack at it. Unfinished business. Then came an opportunity, no promises and no contract, as the One New Zealand Warriors hit the reset button following their three years exiled in Australia. After being shelved when the Covid pandemic hit in March 2020, the New South Wales Cup team was back on the agenda for the Warriors.
Going started the preseason in November with nothing solid, just train and see where it takes you. It eventually took him to a deal to play in the New South Wales Cup – and ultimately the reward of becoming an NRL player when he debuted as Warrior #283 in the final regular season match of the year against the Dolphins.
He has had an exceptional season for the One New Zealand Warriors’ New South Wales Cup side. Picked as captain by coach Slade Griffin, he played in all but to of the side’s regular season matches helping them to third on the ladder; he scored nine tries, averaged 117 metres and 30 tackles a game and made 74 tackles breaks.
He was on the fringes of the NRL side, close to making the breakthrough in the middle of the season. Then his time came at the age of 26.