A former NRL Grand Finalist will make the switch to Super League for 2026, signing a long-term deal with Castleford Tigers.
It’s been a poor year for Castleford with the Tigers failing to meet expectations on the pitch, winning just five of their 23 Super League games, however, new director of rugby Chris Chester insists his task is to make a team capable of finishing in the top six.
Chester has already dipped into the Australian market for a new forward with Newcastle Knights’ Brock Greacen signing a two-year deal, whilst new head coach Ryan Carr has pennned a three-year deal as well.
The latest man to sign up to the Castleford project is Canterbury Bulldogs full-back Blake Taafe with the 26-year-old another to pen a three-year deal with the Tigers. Taafe has spent the majority of his 2025 campaign playing in the New South Wales Cup but he does have 44 games of NRL experience to his name.
Blake Taafe signs three-year deal with Castleford Tigers
One of those 44 games was the 2021 Grand Final with Taafe starting at full-back for South Sydney Rabbitohs in their 14-12 defeat to Penrith Panthers.
He’d leave the Bunnies after making 31 appearances before joining Canterbury ahead of the 2024 campaign but Taafe is now set to bring his talents to Super League.
A statement from Castleford confirmed: “The Tigers are thrilled to announce the signing of Australian playmaker Blake Taaffe on a three-year deal, commencing ahead of the 2026 season.”
Speaking on his new deal, Taafe said: “I spoke with Chris Chester and he told me where the club was heading and the plans, I said straight away that I was keen and wanted to be a part of it, I’m really keen to see what we are building over the next few years and I’m just really excited to get over there and get stuck into it with the boys.”
Chester added: “I’m delighted to get Blake over the line for the next 3 years.
“It’s another significant signing for the club and he will play a huge part of rebuild in 2026. Blake is a player that possesses lightning speed and someone who can play in the halves and at full back.
“Blake is one of a handful of signings we expect to announce in the coming weeks.”
With Tex Hoy and Fletcher Rooney still on the books, it’s unclear if Taafe will play full-back or if he will move into the halves alongside recent NRL recruit Daejarn Asi.
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