Tom Weaver explains why he left comfortable life to chase dream at Castleford Tigers

After all, who in their right mind would swap Australian sunshine for an English winter without that fire in their belly?

Tom Weaver had it good at the Gold Coast Titans – perhaps a little too good – but he wasn’t getting what he needed where it mattered most: on the pitch.

The half-back made 11 appearances for his boyhood club in three seasons, topping up his minutes in the Queensland Cup with Tweed Seagulls.

At just 22, he could have stayed patient and taken the safe option – but that isn’t his idea of chasing a dream.

"Rugby league was always the sport I wanted to pursue," said Weaver.

"I was at the Gold Coast for a very, very long time – my whole career. I was offered the opportunity to come over here to play at Castleford and took it with both hands.

"I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself. I kind of got a bit too comfortable and wanted to feel a bit more uncomfortable.

"I felt this was a good opportunity for me to do that."

Weaver's leap of faith has already been rewarded with the coveted number seven jersey at Castleford.

After featuring just five times for the Titans in 2025, the chance to run a team never quite felt within his grasp.

"I thought I went alright in the NRL but didn't really get the opportunities I thought I would early on in my career," said Weaver.

"I didn't feel that opportunity was going to come at the Gold Coast. I saw an opportunity to play some consistent football in a team where I'm the half-back while developing my game in a different competition.

"Being a bit younger and so early in my career, I felt taking myself out of the NRL and coming over here to Super League where there isn't as much scrutiny was the right move for me.

"I would have loved to have worn the number seven jersey at any club but Castleford was the right fit for me. With Carry (Ryan Carr) becoming the coach as well, I'd only heard good things about him.

"I thought this was the best place for me to grow as a player. I've got the chance to make this my team."

Before he turns that vision into reality, Weaver has first had to navigate a testing winter a world away from the sun-soaked Gold Coast.

The cold, wet weather has been a shock to the system but nothing can dampen the enthusiasm that brought him here.

"It has taken me out of my comfort zone big time," said Weaver.

"Being away is not something I'm used to. The first time living out of home on the other side of the world is definitely a big leap. It's been a bit of a change from where I'm from where it's a lot warmer.

"But I'm really enjoying being around all the boys and the culture we're building here. It's got me really excited for what's to come in the next couple of years."

Last Saturday's heavy friendly defeat to St Helens represented something of a baptism of fire for Weaver and Carr's new-look team.

But pre-season is as much about shaking off the rust and forging combinations as it is about winning.

Weaver has been paired with Daejarn Asi in the halves – and they are already building a connection on and off the pitch.

"Me and DJ have become pretty close since I came over here," said Weaver. "We've actually been on holiday together already.

"The big thing for the team is that Daejarn likes to play on the left edge and is a left-footed kicker and I like to play on the right edge and am a right-footed kicker.

"I'm looking forward to creating a strong partnership with DJ. I think we complement each other really well. Hopefully we see that this season."

Despite the shaky start, there is fresh optimism at Castleford as Carr gets to work on rebuilding a club that have spent the past few years drifting.

To borrow a phrase used by Luke Robinson, whose Huddersfield Giants are on a similar journey to the Tigers, swapping the doghouse for the penthouse doesn’t happen overnight.

But players like Weaver don't come to England for a holiday.

The scrum-half begins 2026 with the same hope as every other player in the competition.

"I want to get the team into the finals," he said.

"I've only heard good things about playing here at the Jungle. When we're winning, the town is buzzing.

"Hopefully we can bring those times back. That's definitely something I'm looking forward to doing."