New Aussie signing Blake Taaffe could have a similar impact on Castleford Tigers to what Bevan French – the 2023 Man of Steel – has done for Wigan Warriors, it has been claimed.
Taaffe, 26, has signed a three-year contract. He was full-back for South Sydney Rabbitohs in the 2021 NRL Grand Final and has played at centre with his current club Canterbury Bulldogs, but could be a half-back option when he arrives at Tigers in pre-season.
Speaking at his weekly preview press conference today (Wednesday), interim-boss and director of rugby Chris Chester said incoming coach Ryan Carr will decide on Taaffe’s role, but predicted he will “come over here and light Super League up”.
Chester said: “If you look at the Wigan team, they brought Bevan French over as an out-and-out full-back and he is playing in the halves and was the difference last week. He came back and single-handedly destroyed Wakefield.
“He came up with some big plays and I think Blake is a very similar player. He is a very accomplished full-back and that’s probably his best position, but he is confident playing in the halves.
“We’ve got options, we’ve got Tex Hoy and Jenson Windley as well who I am hoping is going to be pushing these guys next year for a starting spot.”
Castleford Tigers injury news
Windley has dropped out of Tigers’ squad for tomorrow’s visit to Chester’s former club Leigh Leopards as Hoy comes back in.
The teenager was “knocked out” in last week’s defeat at Catalans Dragons and Chester confirmed: “He’s not available and it’ll probably be a couple of weeks for Jenson.
“That’s the second one he has had in a short space of time, he got one while he was on loan at Sheffield.
“He was out cold last week so unfortunately he misses a couple of weeks, but it will probably do him a world of good as well.
“He has only just turned 18, he’s still growing and developing physically and probably needed a couple of weeks off. He’ll come back into our thoughts after the Wakefield game, so for Wigan or St Helens.”
Hoy has not played since suffering a calf muscle injury in May. He was due to return against Rhinos two weeks ago, but suffered a setback and Chester said: “He is playing this week.
“He has had an issue with his calf that’s been bothering him for a long time, but he is back this week.”
Chester stressed Hoy is under contract to Tigers and remains part of the plans for next year, despite Taaffe’s signing. “We’ve got a really good spine for 2026,” Chester said. “The coach is going to have a few headaches.”
