Blake Taaffe: Ready to roar

Big things are being predicted for Castleford Tigers’ star recruit, Blake Taaffe. Is he their answer to restoring success? They certainly hope so!

Sometimes it’s hard to believe the Tigers were League Leaders’ Shield winners and Super League Grand Finalists nearly nine years ago.

After a dominant period in Daryl Powell’s era, Castleford have drastically slipped down the league ladder and haven’t reached the Play-Offs since 2019.

Fast forward to 2026 and the Tigers are determined to change this. With a club rebuild well underway, there’s plenty to be positive about down Wheldon Road.

This includes some impressive recruitment for the upcoming campaign, which includes 26-year-old Taaffe who has experience of playing in a Grand Final himself.

Taaffe created history back in 2021, when he became the least experienced player ever line up for an NRL Grand Final.

The young fullback featured in South Sydney Rabbitohs’ defeat to the formidable Penrith Panthers, in what was astonishingly just his eighth game at the top level.

Talk about being thrown in at the deep end!

This makes him a perfect fit for Castleford, however, with the Australian playmaker ready to take the Betfred Super League by storm.

Can he help put the class back in Cas?

“Coming to Castleford was the opportunity to do something different and get out of my comfort zone and meet new players and new coaches,” said Taaffe.

“It’s been good so far. We’ve got a good little squad building here with a new head coach and they’re really excited to see what the future holds.”

Indeed, Castleford have really rejuvenated themselves in the off-season. This has included a dramatic overhaul of player ins and outs, as well as a brand new head coach in Ryan Carr, who has brought in his ideas with a firm goal of breathing life and pride back into the side.

“I think with a new coach and a new squad, we’ve come in with a fresh feel, and the boys have really put the hard work in over pre-season.”

2026 marks the Tigers’ centenary year as a club, and Taaffe is confident that this team can do something special:

“I’m really looking forward to seeing what 2026 holds for Castleford Tigers.

“Our focus is to put Castleford back on the map in that top six. We’re striving to be better, and we know that we’re going to up there.

“We got a good spine with myself, Daejarn (Asi), Tommy (Tom Weaver) and Liam (Hood).

“Hood has put some really good experience into our squad, and you know he's given us a bit of freedom for us young guys to go out there and play.

“The way we've gelled has been really good and we're all excited to see how we go over this next block. We really liked how we’ve been training.”

Swapping Sydney for Cas Vegas is quite some change, but Taaffe is hoping to make a name for himself in Super League and his new town:

“It’s a different game over here but I'm just focused on getting better each week. I’ve got to adapt over the year and we'll see how I go.

“I’m ready for the challenge. I’m ready for Round 1.”

Will you be following Taaffe and the Tigers in 2026?

Watch Castleford Tigers v Wigan Warriors on Saturday 15 February, live on BBC, Sky Sports+ and SuperLeague+ (K.O. 3pm).