How Huddersfield Giants-linked star would fit in with Tom Burgess influence clear

The influence and pull of Tom Burgess is becoming evident at Huddersfield Giants after the club have been linked to another NRL star.

Reports emerged from Yorkshire Live that Huddersfield Giants were ‘leading the chase’ to sign South Sydney Rabbitohs man Taane Milne, one of Burgess’ former teammates.

Should Milne make the move to the John Smith’s Stadium then he would become the third South Sydney Rabbitohs player to be recruited in the same window following Burgess and recent recruit Jacob Gagai.

Even after signing Gagai last week, Huddersfield still have two overseas quota spots left, the most of any side in Super League so there is certainly room for the Giants to look at players such as Milne.

The reports of the club chasing Milne fall in line with comments made by Tom Burgess recently with the England international revealing that his interactions with head coach Luke Robinson had included discussions over ‘a few potential signings’.

How Huddersfield Giants-linked star would fit into Luke Robinson’s team

Those comments were made in a video on the club’s YouTube channel that was released on the sixth of November, just 11 days before the announcement that Jacob Gagai had signed and a fortnight before this Taane Milne report.

It’s fair to say that Burgess’ connections to South Sydney Rabbitohs look to be paying dividends with the Englishman’s reputation Down Under certainly preceding him.

Whether Huddersfield land Milne or not is another question as the 29-year-old has just had a couple of astonishing international Tests for Fiji with those performances earning him a Golden Boot nomination.

Milne is a natural centre, which is a major position of need for Huddersfield, but he recently starred in the second-row when representing Fiji showcasing versatility that is a very desirable trait.

Another desirable trait is Milne’s kicking prowess which he displayed in the game against the Cook Islands as he converted seven of seven. Huddersfield Giants have lost kicking options such as Jake Connor and Olly Russell, creating a void in the role.

More impressive was his dominance with the ball in hand as he put up 203 metres against a strong Papua New Guinea side before making 261 against the Cook Islands. He’d also make an incredible 11 offloads across the two games.

Should Huddersfield Giants sign Milne then he’d play in his more natural position of centre and that could see him play inside of former Bunnies teammate Jacob Gagai. Milne generally played on the right flank with Gagai on the left but given Adam Swift has likely locked down the left wing, it could be that Gagai occupies the right wing and would be reunited with his former teammate.

It’s certainly a move for the Giants that makes plenty of sense as it fills a position of need and brings in experience, quality and familiarity for one of their other overseas signings, not least a kicking option as well.

And in all likelihood, much of the attraction for both Gagai and Milne and any other possible NRL recruits is in part down to the pulling power of the Burgess name.