Huddersfield Giants new signing’s first words including Tom Burgess influence and Luke Robinson chats

New signing Taane Milne has spoken about the role that Tom Burgess played in getting him to sign for Huddersfield Giants following confirmation of his move to the Super League club.

Milne is the third South Sydney Rabbitohs player to sign for Huddersfield Giants ahead of the 2025 season, following in the footsteps of Burgess and Jacob Gagai, and he’s now spoken on the influence of both men on his decision.

Giving his first spoken interview with the club after his signing, Milne explained how the move played out, confirming it had been a drawn-out process.

In a video shared to the Huddersfield Giants’ YouTube channel, Milne said: “I’m really excited to make the move over there with my partner eventually but it’s been a pretty long process but it’s finally done now and I’m happy it’s over the line.”

The centre/second-rower was off-contract with NRL side Souths but has now signed a two-year-deal with the Super League club and looks destined to fill the centre role left by his international captain Kevin Naiqama.

Huddersfield Giants’ signing reveals Burgess influence

That will put him in the backline alongside Jacob Gagai, who has been handed the number one shirt, but it was his other former teammate that convinced him to make the move.

Milne revealed: “I was speaking to Tommy Burgess before who was talking good about the club and just sort of asked me during the season if I was keen to come over if there was an opportunity.

“I said that I’d definitely have a think about it as I was coming off contact.”

From there, it seemed that the Giants made their move as Miln explained: “They (Burgess and Huddersfield) have spoken and then they reached out to my agent and I found out a bit of interest. I think Robbo gave me a call probably two weeks in.”

The 29-year-old explained the difficult circumstances in his arrival with his partner pregnant currently and expecting in January, something that will see him return Down Under shortly after Christmas.

Milne said: “I’ve got a big circumstance in that we’re having a baby in January and the club is supportive of that and he just rang me to reassure me that it’s a family-orientated club and I really respected that.”

On Robinson, he spoke incredibly positively, revealing details of their conversation: “He also said that he watched me over the Pacific Championships and noticed a few things in my game that would help out the squad. I really respected that call, it was a good chat with him and the first time I met him.

“I can’t wait to get over there, work with him and learn a lot of stuff too.”

It wasn’t just Tom Burgess who helped get the deal over the line though as Milne explained the influence of recent recruit Jacob Gagai.

“I actually went for lunch with Jacob last week and he was talking about it and it’s just going to be that little bit of extra help from someone I already know. With Tom being English, he’ll probably be able to take me around and that’s going to be a massive help.”