Exclusive: Ian Watson confirms interest in signing Newcastle Knights hooker Thomas Deakin

A number of Super League sides have already got their recruitment for 2024 well under way with a flurry of teams such as Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and Hull KR all having undergone business early.

Those sides among others have recruited heavily but signings are a two way street with a new signing always meaning exits as well and Huddersfield Giants are one of the Super League sides to confirm a huge number of exits.

Two of those exits are retirements with both Chris McQueen and Nathan Peats hanging up the boots after serving as excellent leaders for the Giants during their spell in England, with hooker Peats having anchored the team at times.

On the hooker’s retirement, Ian Watson told Serious About Rugby League: “No. It’s just there’s been certain discussions in and around it because obviously Peatsy was contracted to us for next year.

“Peatsy is a stellar bloke. Peatsy is a proper champion mate. He’s very similar to Crispy in how he is and what he’s about and what he wants to do as well. His was about whether it was the right time.

“He came and jumped in on us when we were left very late by Danny leaving last year. He answered a bit of an SOS for us really,. he’s coming and he works really hard.

“We’ve had these discussions in and around whether it is the right time for him to take that next step and go somewhere else. His family’s travelled around a lot with him as well and I think they want to get back and be closer to to home to his own mum.”

This leaves the door open for the club to sign Sydney Rooster hooker Tom Deakin and the Giants are interested as per Ian Watson:

“It’s funny, do you remember when we brought Hugh Worthington on loan? He was training with the Roosters and they played in a pre-season trial game and that’s where they had two young nines playing.

“One was Thomas and I saw him play then so he’s definitely of an interest to us and somebody that we have spoken to. He ticked a few boxes for what we were looking for in terms of a young nine and coming through.

“It was very difficult to get that nine across here in the UK. The fact that we found out a little bit later on, through his agent actually, that he was actually British and he grew up playing at Olham St Anne’s just around the corner was perfect for us in many ways as well.

“We followed that path to make sure that everything was legit in that kind of situation and obviously then we’ve had obviously a little bits of discussions with Thomas but I think he’s a great kid.

“He’s a good player he’s got great distribution, he’s pretty sharp with his deception in and around the ruck. He’s got really good potential to be fair. So he’s somebody that we’re excited to hopefully have on board with us.”