Castleford Tigers news: devastating injury blow as star man ruled out for full season
Castleford Tigers are reeling from a devastating injury blow to one of their star pre-season signings.
Australian full-back Blake Taaffe will miss the rest of the season after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (acl) during last Sunday’s Betfred Super League round one defeat to Wigan Warriors. The 26-year-old was an NRL Grand Finalist with South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2021 and joined Tigers from Canterbury Bulldogs last autumn.
Tigers coach Ryan Carr 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 he has for his team mates and his club.”
Carr added: “His team-first personality is what we admire about him and he will 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 director of rugby Chris Chester said: “We are heartbroken for Blake. He’s a player 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 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.”