Whole new ball game
RUGBY LEAGUE DREAM STILL RANKS HIGH
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JORDAN RANKIN insists he never gave up on his dream – but hopes Huddersfield can help him make it come true.
The Giants’ new signing, 25, was tipped to be a superstar when he made his NRL debut at the age of 16 with Gold Coast Titans.
Clothing company Skins greeted his arrival with the jokey advert: “Playing first grade at 16 takes balls. Especially if they haven’t dropped yet”.
But it was a joke that backfired and, wilting under the pressure, he didn’t play first grade again for more than two years.
A successful spell in Super League at Hull followed but he was determined to crack the NRL and joined Wests Tigers.
But after a promising first season, Rankin has found himself out in the cold again this year and has jumped at the chance to join Huddersfield.
He said: “It was a pretty chequered run in the NRL and I probably did not adapt to things very well as a kid. HOME AND AWAY: Jordan Rankin in action for Aussie side Wests Tigers and in his Huddersfield strip It is cut throat over there and it’s an alleyes-on-me sort of sport. “Thankfully it has not deterred me from living out my dreams to play professional footie.” Rankin was handed a lifeline out of Wests by Giants coach Rick Stone, who he has known since he was an eight-year-old ball boy. He said: I was a ball boy when Rick coached the Burleigh Bears. He took them to a Premiership, which I will never forget.” Rankin was also working as a ball boy during the infamous 1999 game against Great Britain when the Bears only lost 10-6. He added: “I have very fond memories of it. Watching those guys play was a highlight for me.” The utility-back now wants to write some of his own memorable stories with Huddersfield and earn a longer deal. He has been signed on a six-month contract and the club are keen to keep him, but Rankin is also free to talk to other clubs. He said: “All I can do is play good rugby. I have got untapped potential and there is still the best of me to come.” Rankin will make his Giants debut at fullback, in place of injured Jake Mamo, at Salford on Sunday. LEEDS have signed half-back Richie Myler, 27, from Catalans Dragons on a three-year deal from next season. 7 Which England player scored the winner against Venezuela in the 2017 FIFA Under-20 World Cup Final? How many tries did New Zealand score in their 78-0 Test win over Samoa in Auckland earlier this month? Which German won the 2017 BNL d’Italia men’s singles tennis tournament? Who took 6-34 for Northants against Durham in the 2017 County Championship at Chester-le-Street? Which cyclist won the 2017 Criterium du Dauphine?