Castleford Tigers confirm 3-year deal for former Toronto Wolfpack ace Gareth O'Brien

Gareth O'Brien plans to keep rivals for his position “on their toes” after committing himself to Castleford Tigers for the next three seasons.
Gareth O'Brien touches down for Tigers. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.Gareth O'Brien touches down for Tigers. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.
Gareth O'Brien touches down for Tigers. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

O’Brien scored three tries, seven goals and a drop goal in eight appearances for Tigers after joining them in August on loan from Toronto Wolfpack.

He was due to return to Toronto next year, but agreed a deal with Tigers until the end of 2023 after the Canadian side were denied a place in Betfred Super League next year.

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O’Brien will compete with England Knights star Niall Evalds, who is joining them from Salford Red Devils, for Tigers’ full-back shirt.

Gareth O'Brien. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.Gareth O'Brien. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
Gareth O'Brien. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

He also adds depth to their half-backs, alongside Jake Trueman and Danny Richardson.

“That gives us some good options for next year,” O’Brien said of his versatility.

“I’ll be putting everyone on their toes.

“It’s healthy and helps the competition a squad needs. I’m looking forward to it.”

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The 29-year-old began his career at Warrington Wolves and has spells at clubs including Widnes Vikings, Castleford - where he made two Super League appearances on loan in 2013 - and St Helens before moving to Salford Red Devils for the 2016 season.

After famously kicking the golden-point drop goal against Hull KR which kept Salford in the top-flight at the end of his debut campaign there, he signed for Toronto in 2018.

O’Brien was Betfred Championship player of the year last season, scoring 22 tries as Wolfpack finished top of the table and then went on to beat Featherstone Rovers in the promotion-clinching Grand Final.

He featured five times for Toronto this year, before financial problems led them to withdraw from Super League and the Coral Challenge Cup.

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O’Brien added: “I’m very grateful for the opportunity to continue my stay at the Tigers and I’m really looking forward to the next three years.

“Since joining, it has been great.

“I settled in really quickly, the boys have been great and the coaches have been fantastic.”

Tigers finished eighth in the table on win percentage after an outbreak of coronavirus restricted them to just 16 league matches.

“It’s been a difficult year for everyone,” O’Brien admitted.

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“I think we are a bit glad to see the back of it and we’re all looking forward to 2021.”

Castleford brought in O’Brien to cover the full-back role after Jordan Rankin returned to his native Australia during the Covid-19 shutdown.

Coach Daryl Powell said he is delighted a long-term deal has been agreed.

“I think Gaz showed what an experienced half can add, either playing at half or full-back,” he said.

“He is pretty flexible and has been great for us.

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“With Jordan Rankin going home he ended up being a key signing and whichever position he played in he was very good.

“We’re delighted he has taken up the offer to stay with us.”

Powell added: “He has great experience, he can kick, run, pass the ball, be very dangerous and adds real competition for places at full-back and half-back which is a great situation to be in.

“It has been tough for all the Toronto players, not really knowing where their future lies and so there was a bit of flexibility there for Gaz.

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“He has fitted in well and so we were happy to give him some security if Toronto did not work out for him.

“We are very happy he will be a Tigers player going forward.”

Tigers’ director of Jon Wells also believes O’Brien will be a key player for the club over the next three seasons.

“Gareth has been a first-class addition to our squad this season and we are very pleased to have him on board on a permanent basis going into 2021,” he said.

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“He is an experienced, high-quality player and he adds great depth and versatility to our squad.

“At a time when the entire game is having to cut its cloth according to their means, I think this is a vital signing for us.”

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