Huddersfield bring in former England international on three-month trial

Huddersfield have signed veteran NRL back-rower Chris McQueen on a three-month trial following his release from Wests Tigers.

The 33-year-old was contracted to the end of the season but will now take up a deal with the depleted Giants in a bid to help resolve their injury crisis.

McQueen has played 164 NRL games combined for South Sydney, Gold Coast and most recently Wests Tigers.

He was part of the Rabbitohs team that won the 2014 Premiership and has been capped six times by the Queensland Maroons.

McQueen was surprisingly picked by Wayne Bennett to play for England in 2017, qualifying through his father, coming off the bench in the 30-10 mid-season Test win over Samoa in Sydney.

Since signing for Wests Tigers in 2018, McQueen has made only 10 NRL appearances and just one in 2020.

Speaking on the trial, Giants Managing Director Richard Thewlis told the club’s website: “The injury scenario is quite alarming and has caused concern to everyone thus when we heard that Chris was looking for an opportunity we jumped at the chance.

“His record speaks for itself and the agreement we have is simply to the end of the year to enable him to showcase his undoubted abilities to us and the Super League as a whole.

“He is keen to stay in the UK longer but at this stage given so many issues that we are all aware of around the game the three month trial period seems a perfect fit for everyone.

“He arrived into the UK today will watch our game live at Headingley subject to a few clearances being met but the aim is for him to be available for squad selection the week after. We should also thank the Wests Tigers club for their assistance in allowing Chris to come across and leave them early to pursue his aim of a permanent Super League contract.”