Kennedy's 'rollercoaster' from Uber driver to Broncos deal

From driving an Uber to make ends meet in Sydney to securing a new deal with the Brisbane Broncos, it is no wonder Rhys Kennedy says his last six months has "definitely been a rollercoaster" ride.

The journeyman 24-year-old prop wouldn't have it any other way after a career where so far he has transitioned between part-time and full-time deals at several clubs.

The uncertainty that Kennedy has experienced is not something he regrets. In fact it is a journey he has embraced. After securing a mid-year transfer from South Sydney, following previous stints at Melbourne and Canberra, he is now signed to the Broncos until the end of 2020.

In three NRL games for Brisbane so far the man mountain, who stands at 197cm and weighs 110kg, is yet to experience a loss.

Ahead of Brisbane's home clash with Melbourne on Friday night Kennedy told NRL.com how he had embraced life on the edge as a professional rugby league player.

"While I was part-time I went and did some labouring work, personal training work at a gym and I even did some Uber driving in Sydney," he said.

"A did a fair bit of Uber driving actually, last year and this year, to keep me going. Sydney is an expensive place. A couple of people recognised me, not many. When you are on the fringe no-one seems to notice you.

"It made me realise how important my studies are. The whole time I have been chipping away at an exercise science degree and I am nearly done. I have four subjects to do. It is pretty broad doing an exercise science course and I'd like to go on and study a masters of exercise physiology.

"My journey had definitely been a rollercoaster but I definitely wouldn't be where I am now without all that happening. You'd like to be full-time all the time but it has definitely shaped me and made me who I am."

Kennedy started off his career at the Melbourne Storm in the under 20s where he played alongside current Broncos teammates Matt Lodge, Jake Turpin and Richie Kennar. Anthony Seibold was also his coach for one of his years in the Storm under 20s.

He then joined the Canberra Raiders where he was full-time but played his footy with the Mounties in the NSW Cup.

After not being re-signed he went to Wollongong and played with the Illawarra Cutters before linking with the North Sydney Bears and training part-time at South Sydney in 2018.

He gained a full-time gig for the 2019 season and made his NRL debut for the Rabbitohs in round three this year. The mid-season switch to Brisbane made sense on several levels.

"I was initially looking at my options for next year in terms of interest and opportunity, because as a player you want a bit of security," Kennedy said.

"Seibs has coached me before at Melbourne and I was at Souths last year part-time. He understands my journey and how I have worked hard through the adversity I have been through the last couple of years – going from full-time to part-time and back to full-time again.

"I just thought it was a great opportunity to come up here to play with a young side and with boys I have played with before.

"I wasn't sure whether I would get in the side straight away but I am stoked to be here at the Broncos because the move has paid off for me so far.

"I might get pushed out of the side later but I am just thankful that I can keep doing my job off the bench."

Kennedy is also thankful to the Rabbitohs for giving him his initial top grade opportunity but understandably is keen to put down roots in Brisbane for the long-term

"To be honest, at the start of the year my number one goal was to make my NRL debut with South Sydney. They gave me the opportunity down there and I am thankful for that because that is what has given me the opportunity to be consistent for the Broncos the last couple of weeks and in an NRL side full-time," he said.

"There was no way at the start of the year I would have thought that I'd now be in Brissie. In the rugby league world everything happens so quickly. I am used to that now after being to a few different clubs. I am really hoping this time I am here long-term."