Castleford Tigers signing Tyrell Sloan 'looking forward' to move despite love to stay in NRL admission
Castleford Tigers signing Tyrell Sloan says he’d “love to” stay in the NRL, but insists he is “looking forward” to linking up with his new club.
Sloan was announced as Tigers’ latest recruit from St George-Illawarra Dragons exactly a month ago, on a two-year contract beginning next season. The 24-year-old has been in superb form over the past couple of months, scoring eight tries in as many matches in the southern hemisphere competition.
Speaking on Channel Nine’s coverage of St George’s 24-22 win at Wests Tigers on Sunday, Australian great Andrew Johns said Sloan is “too good a player to be leaving the NRL at this age” and interviewed after the match, Sloan admitted it was something he didn’t want to do.
Uncertainty over the future of coach Ryan Carr, absent from Tigers’ last two games for what the club say are “personal reasons”, has created speculation over whether Sloan and St George teammates Damien Cook and Mat Feagai will go ahead with their move to Castleford. All three worked with Carr at the Dragons, but Castleford director of rugby Chris Chester insists they will be at the club for pre-season.
Asked on Nine about his move to Super League, Sloan said: “It’s something I didn’t want to do, but unfortunately I guess that’s how the footy world works. The decision was made a few months ago and there’s a bit in the background going on with Carry over there. It’s a tough decision to leave home, but I’m looking forward to it, with having Cookie there too.”
Questioned by Johns if he could stay in the NRL, Sloan added: “I’d love to. I’m not too sure what’s going on in the background. I haven’t heard much from the club about what’s going on with the coaching staff over there. I’m just taking it week by week here and really enjoying my footy for the first time in a while.”