Former Castleford Tigers man initially declined move to Jungle till conversation changed his mind
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Craig Milner/News Image/Shutterstock 10239585ac Cheyse Blair of Castleford Tigers looks to get past Trent Merrin of Leeds Rhinos Leeds Rhinos vs Castleford Tigers, Betfred Super League Round 15 Rugby League, Emerald Carnegie Stadium, UK - 16 May 2019 Leeds Rhinos vs Castleford Tigers, Betfred Super League Round 15 Rugby League, Emerald Carnegie Stadium, UK - 16 May 2019 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTXHUNxGRExMLTxCYPxROMxBULxUAExKSAxONLY Copyright: xCraigxMilner/NewsxImage/Shutterstockx 10239585ac
Cheyse Blair’s Super League career concluded at the end of 2022.
The versatile former Castleford Tigers star could play at centre and second-row and started his Super League career in 2019 at the Jungle helping them to a play-off spot.
However, he never had the chance to play in the play-offs again after that as the Tigers routinely suffered agonising defeats to deny them a place in the top six.
He spent four seasons in Super League all told but it was very nearly none.
This was because he initially declined the interest from the Tigers in favour of staying with Melbourne Storm whom he represented in the 2016 NRL Grand Final as they lost to Cronulla Sharks prior to missing out on the 2017 Grand Final which Melbourne won due to an ankle injury.
However, a phone call from Daryl Powell changed his mind.
“I kept hearing through the media that Castleford were interested in me,” he said to Serious About Rugby League.
“At first I had declined and wanted to stay in Melbourne but the interest increased and it was something I always wanted to do was to play in the super League so I took the opportunity after a phone call from Daryl Powell.”
Interestingly, and somewhat surprisingly, no other Super League club was interested in him despite his calibre: “No there was no other interest from other clubs.”