Star halfback seemingly signs shock Super League contract

Former Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves star Blake Austin is currently shining at Castleford Tigers after leaving Headingley for the Jungle before the transfer deadline for the 2023 season.

He only joined the club on a deal until the end of the 2023 season meaning his future beyond that is a mystery despite reported interest from Featherstone Rovers.

There has been talk that Austin has signed a deal with the Tigers. This comes from Kenny Edwards who has said that

This was addressed by Danny Ward:

“Absolutely no idea. I’m not involved in those conversations at the minute, I’m obviously not knowing where I’m at myself I’m just focusing on the rugby side.

“I’m sure the club will be dealing with Blake. I thought he was fantastic, that was probably the best game I’ve seen him in the Cas shirt at the weekend.

“He was having the ball in his hands, he was being a running threat, he was being a menace with the ball and another day he probably could have scored a couple of tries and that’s what we wanted from him.

“He looked confident, he looked like he was enjoying himself and that was a Blake Austin that we all love and I thought it was fantastic; but from that side of things I’ll leave that to the club to solve.”

Austin recently addressed his exit: “No, not that I’m aware of. Obviously, there was a bit of speculation as to why it happened.

“I received a phone call at 9.30pm on a Wednesday night. Gareth Widdop said, ‘are you interested in coming and giving us a hand?’

“I sort of said I’m not sure if Leeds will let me but the way my situation is I’m open to come in and help and if you think I can help, then yeah within 12-15 hours I was a Tiger.

“I wasn’t looking to leave, obviously I was a bit upset with my situation but I was fully focused on forging ahead for them for the rest of the year and yeah here I am.

“I guess in life all you can do is deal the cards you’ve been dealt. I think that’s a good lesson in all of it for myself.”

Asked about his future, he said:

“No, I haven’t. I was probably more stressed about the contract stuff six to eight weeks ago than what I am now.

“Obviously there’s only four weeks to go. I’ve got a couple of things in the pipeline but nothing set in concrete and I’m just enjoying each week as it comes.

“Obviously being at this place it’s something that’s really important and something I don’t look too far ahead because we’re only seven days away from being back in a real battle again so yeah it’s been refreshing.”