Huddersfield Giants' Suaia Matagi vows something "special" for new club Castleford Tigers

The former New Zealand prop, 32, has joined on a season-long loan from Huddersfield Giants.

Aucklander Matagi - who spent time in prison as a teenager and only started playing the sport at 20 - was a regular for Giants this season but has been moved on by incoming coach Ian Watson.

With Castleford having seen experienced forwards Matt Cook and Junior Moors both leave at the end of the season, the imposing, aggresisve and rugged front-row is just what head coach Daryl Powell has been looking for to strengthen their next bid for success.

The ex-Parramatta Eels and Sydney Roosters player said: “I’m definitely excited for the new challenge and I’m looking forward to adding into the side.

“I know a few of the boys already and played against them a few times.

“Every time we’ve played Castleford we always have some tough encounters and I know they are a tough, resilient team who always bounce back.

“Castleford is rich in history so being here and being a part of it, I’m excited to join and see what we can do in 2021.

“One thing I know with my story and being a late bloomer is resilience.

“I had to take a lot of knockbacks and a ‘get down seven times and rise eight’ mentality and attitude, that’s where it’s got me so far.

“I know with that resilient mindset and positive attitude going forward I think I can add a bit of value coming into 2021 for Castleford Tigers.

“I know 2020 has been one hell of a year but come ’21 I believe we’re going to do something special.”

Matagi, who also represented Samoa at the last two World Cups, will augment Castleford’s front-row options which already includes the likes of Liam Watts, George Griffin, Grant Millington and Tyla Hepi.

Powell - looking to hit back after a disappointing eighth place finish - also completed the signing of promising Hull FC prop Lewis Bienek yesterday.

The coach explained: “One of the areas we wanted to improve was our go-forward and our ability to dismantle defensive lines with brute strength.

“We’ve been able to add a couple of players there that I think will really help us.

“Suaia is a go-forward player who we have found difficult to handle in the past with his ability to get the ball on the floor and play it quickly. “He’s an experienced player, someone who can come in and you know what you’re going to get.

“He goes from A to B pretty quickly and I think he will be a great addition for us.”

Castleford director of rugby Jon Wells added: “Sui is exactly what we have been looking for in a big, aggressive, disruptive middle and he is a player of international quality.

“He will be charging forward from the back fence at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle throughout 2021 and I’m sure he will become a fan favourite pretty quickly.”