Blake Austin’s shock switch from Leeds Rhinos to Castleford Tigers has caught many fans by surprise and the nature of the move, with the process beginning late last night, has happened in an absolute whirlwind as Cas look to stave off Super League relegation.
Castleford and Leeds both announced just before midday that the deal had been done for Austin to end the season on loan at the Jungle with both Andy Last and Rohan Smith testifying as to the late nature of the switch.
Andy last revealed that he initially believed the links with Austin to be a ‘wind-up’, something he confirmed to the press earlier.
“Yeah, things started to happen around about 9 o’clock yesterday evening,” Last explained.
“Yeah, shocked. When I got the message, I was thinking, nah, it’s a wind-up, surely not, surely not.”
After an exchange of phone numbers and a conversation the deal seemed to be falling into place, something Rhinos boss Rohan Smith was obvlibious about as he revealed he’d headed to bed and only woke up to the news around seven or eight this morning.
Smith explained to the media: “I went to bed at somewhere between 10.30 and 11 last night and when I started my walk this morning and I turned my phone back on, I had a message saying that it’s likely that a deal had been done with Cas and through the early parts of this morning that was confirmed.
“So yeah, it came as a bit of a surprise for sure,” before revealing when he did learn of the move, “I was supportive of that once I was briefed on it at 7 or 8 o’clock this morning.”
The one man who hadn’t had his say was Blake Austin himself and he’s now taken to Instagram to share his side of things as he described ‘the strangest 12 hours of my career’.
The full post reads as follows:
“Well that the strangest 12 hours of my career.
“First of all I want to sympathise with my Leeds team mates and Leeds fans, I understand your (sic) the losers in this situation. I’m grateful for so many of you guys, had some awesome times together. Wish the club all the best and have made life long friends. I’d like to think I gave my all every time I took the field.
“For the team at Castleford to give me this short but fresh opportunity. Thanks, Can’t wait to give everything I’ve got for the jersey.
“Learned plenty of lessons in the last 12 months, and confirmed a lot the values I have as a person.
“Austin46”
Austin has also taken to the Tigers’ Twitter feed where he has spoke his first words as a Castleford player.
🤝 “Come on you Fords”#COYF pic.twitter.com/5xH7NHMTS7
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) August 3, 2023
Austin said: “Hey guys, this is Blake Austin. What a whirlwind of a 12 hours. I’m here, I’ve got my number on my jersey, can’t wait to meet you all and play a role for the rest of the year. Come on you Fords!”
He will now link up with the Tigers, albeit won’t feature on Friday, meaning he will have two weeks with the team before their all-important clash with Wakefield Trinity on the 18th August, a game that has been dubbed the ‘relegation Grand Final’.
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