Castleford Tigers rocked by huge injury blow for star signing Blake Taaffe
Castleford Tigers’ difficult start to the new season has become even trickier now with huge news that their star signing, Blake Taaffe, is out for the full campaign.
The club has reported that Australian full-back Taaffe suffered a ruptured ACL in Sunday’s game with Wigan Warriors and he will miss the rest of the Super League campaign as a result.
The 26-year-old joined the Tigers from the NRL in the off-season and has impressed everyone at the club on and off the pitch.
He was one of the key additions made by Cas as they look to improve on recent seasons and showed glimpses of what he could deliver in the Challenge Cup tie at Doncaster and the first Super League game.
Director of rugby Chris Chester said: “We are heartbroken for Blake. He’s a player who we brought here because we know what he can offer on the field but what he has brought to the squad has been beyond anything we had imagined.
"He is an incredibly popular member of the squad and a pleasure to be around.
"Now, we have to put the disappointment and sadness to one side and support Blake through his rehab so we can have him back and raring to go for 2027.”
Head coach Ryan Carr, who after the Wigan game praised Taaffe’s bravery and commitment in wanting to play on despite picking up the knock early on, said: “I’m absolutely devastated for Blake.
"He has been a pivotal force behind the culture we are trying to build here at the club.
"To know he finished the game with a torn ACL is a testament to how tough he is and how much care his has for his teammates and his club.
"His team first personality is what we admire about him and he will be continue to be an integral part of our team off the field. His teammates love playing with him, we’re all shattered for him.
"All we can do, is control what’s next and make sure we get Blake back to his flying best for the start of next season.”
Castleford may now be forced to dip into the transfer market again to add to the 13 players already brought in plus one loan signing. But they do have a replacement within their squad in promising young full-back Fletcher Rooney, who is now set to get a chance in the first team earlier than he might have expected.