Huddersfield Giants signing Taane Milne has spoken on the club’s recruitment after being announced as their fourth NRL signing for 2025.
Milne arrives from South Sydney Rabbitohs, just like two of the three other NRL recruits with Canberra Raiders’ Zac Woolford being the only exception.
Woolford, a hooker, was announced far earlier in Luke Robinson’s reign in charge whereas both Jacob Gagai and Milne have only recently been confirmed.
They’ll join former Souths man Tom Burgess who was one of the first and remains one of the biggest NRL signings made by a Super League side for 2025.
After revealing that Burgess might be tasked with showing him around, Milne has also revealed when Huddersfield Giants fans can expect him to arrive in the country.
New Huddersfield Giants recruit talks arrival, kicking and positions
Credit: Lynne Cameron / www.photosport.nz MANDATORY BYLINE/PHOTO CREDIT to PhotoSportNZ/SWpix.com
However, with his partner expecting to give birth in January, it’s expected that the Fijian international’s first visit to England won’t last more than a month after he revealed he’d been given leave to return Down Under.
Speaking to the club’s YouTube channel about his plans, Milne said: “I’m coming over around mid-December. I haven’t got the exact dates yet but we’re just sorting that out with Andy Kelly and my manager.
“I’ll be coming over, spend a few weeks with the boys, probably spend Christmas over there and then the club is allowing me to head back for the birth so I’m really grateful and really respect that.
“Obviously, I’ll be paying it back by coming back, training hard and performing on the field. Not many clubs would give you that time off to have the birth and with my partner.
“She’s excited to come as well but we’re really keen for this opportunity.”
As well as those South Sydney players, there are a number of others in the Huddersfield Giants’ squad who Milne is familiar with and that’s seen him ‘really confident’ about the Super League side’s recruitment.
“I’m really confident with the recruitment that we’ve done for the next year,” he explained.
“There’s a few players that I know as well. Jack Murchie, Adam Clune, Tui, I know them boys and the club is stepping in the right direction and I can’t wait to show that on the field.”
Milne himself is a very valuable recruit given his ability to play centre or second-row, plus he could also bring a valuable kicking game after Olly Russell and Jake Connor’s departure. Both those assets were highlighted at the Pacific Championships where he played second-row and kicked seven from seven against the Cook Islands.
On that, he said: “I expect Robbo to be able to chuck me anywhere, I’ll play front row if you need me.”
As for kicking, the 29-year-old was less sure: “I’ll get over there and have some practise first as I think that was just a good day but we’ll see how we go.”
