Exclusive: Ex-Castleford Tigers star Justin Carney linked with shock move back to rugby league

Justin Carney could well make a rugby league return after a period of distancing himself from the sport in his native Australia.

He most recently coached the Nyngan Tigers back in 2019 as well as playing, before stepping down from a coaching role ahead of the 2020 season and stepping away from the sport altogether that year.

The blockbusting winger, who scored 63 tries in 62 appearances for Castleford between 2013 and 2015, also had spells at Salford Red Devils and Hull KR before quitting professional rugby league at the end of the 2018 season.

A Nyngan Tigers representative had previously revealed just why Carney left the sport altogether: “No real reason other than he is really busy with his horses and work and wanted some time away from football.

“The club would welcome back Justin at any time if he wished to do so and we keep in contact from time to time.

“He is a class player! Great bloke to go with it too.”

That being said, Carney, according to Australian sources, is apparently lining up a return to the local leagues as part of a bid to re-involve himself in the sport.

The ‘Tank on the Flank’ as he was so aptly nicknamed, cut quite a reputation in West Yorkshire and earned himself the love of the fans on the Jungle terraces.

Unfortunately, his stay in Castleford was cut prematurely short and he never really reached the heights of previous years at both Salford and Hull KR.