Andrews returns to pep up failing Giants
CASTLEFORD TIGERS’ Greg Eden hopes to celebrate his new three-year deal by returning from injury at the club where the prolific winger enjoyed his “breakthrough” campaign.
Last season’s Super League top try-scorer has been out since February 24 with a hamstring issue but is ready for Sunday’s derby at Huddersfield Giants.
Eden, who Castleford yesterday announced had agreed a new contract until the end of 2021, has a lot to thank their West Yorkshire rivals for.
“It was my breakthrough year really, when I played for Huddersfield,” he recalled, about the 2012 campaign.
“I left Castleford in the Under-20s to sign full-time for Huddersfield, which was a bit of a gamble really.
“I didn’t expect to play any games at all, but ended up playing every game of the season at full-back. I enjoyed my time there.”
After scoring 13 tries in 27 games, he went on to spend three years at Hull KR before moving to Brisbane Broncos for two campaigns, Castleford re-signing him ahead of last season.
In-form Eden crossed 41 times for the club as they won the League Leaders’ Shield for the first time and reached a maiden Grand Final.
The 27-year-old earned Dream Team recognition and admitted he didn’t think twice about signing the new deal.
“It was pretty smart by Cas coming in early and offering me a deal before anyone else could get chance,” he said.
“But I am happy to stay here. It’s a club I love and I enjoyed my rugby that much last year it was straightforward.
“It was a great season. We scored some awesome tries and I was on the end of a lot of them. I’ve not been that lucky this year – I think I’ve only been on the field in two games and I came off injured in one – but I’m hoping that I can get back fit for this week and then continue that form from last year.
“I’m excited about signing again, Daryl (Powell) is building a good squad and I think we can improve on what we did last year this time around. We’ve made some good signings in Liam Watts and Joe Wardle to strengthen it and I can see this club doing some great things in these next few years.
“That’s part of the reason that made me want to join up.”
On his fitness, the Castlefordborn player said: “I think I’m almost there now. I’ve trained fully today and I’m in the squad so it’s just down to Daryl and who he’s going to pick for those wing spots or full-back.
“We’ve a lot of depth now and it will be a headache for him.” HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS have enlisted the help of former performance manager Mark Andrews to work with interim head coach Chris Thorman.
Andrews, who operated under fellow Australian Nathan Brown at the West Yorkshire club in 2009 and 2010, is due to arrive on Friday to take up his short-term role as the Giants look to climb out of the bottom four in the Betfred Super League.
Andrews left Huddersfield to take on the head of strength and conditioning role at the Super Rugby outfit Melbourne Rebels.
However, since then, he has worked in the performance departments of NRL clubs St George and Newcastle Knights.
Huddersfield managing director Richard Thewlis said: “Mark will bring a fresh pair of eyes to the coaching team.
“He will report directly to Chris Thorman assisting him in his specialist areas of preparation to play and perform at the highest level. He knows the club well and was a popular member in the successful years in 2009 and 2010 before he returned to Australia.
“He has a gap at the moment in his career path and was very keen to come across and help get us moving in the right direction.
“In typical ‘Bumper’ fashion he’s keen to get straight to training so he hopped on a plane as soon as practical and will, I’m sure, bring great energy, experience and be a great fit alongside Chris and his team of coaches.”
Meanwhile, assistant Thorman – who took over from the sacked Rick Stone last week – is still without a raft of players for Sunday’s visit from Castleford Tigers.
Stand-off Lee Gaskell and Ireland second-row Ollie Roberts could return but will be given late fitness tests tomorrow along with Danny Brough who injured an ankle in Monday’s defeat in Perpignan. Jake Mamo, Leroy Cudjoe, Kruise Leeming and Jermaine McGillvary remain sidelined.