Jacob Miller ‘didn’t take decision lightly’ as he signs for Wakefield’s Super League rivals

James Gordon
Jacob Miller Wakefield Trinity SWpix

Photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix

Castleford have announced the signing of former Wakefield captain Jacob Miller on a three-year deal.

Miller, 30, is re-united with Lee Radford, who coached him at Hull FC, before he moved to Trinity where he made 200 appearances.

He said: “I am really excited, and I am glad to be here. I can’t wait to meet all of my new teammates and get started for next season.

“I’m obviously moving to a cross-town rival but the team and the squad that we are building for next year is really exciting. It’s probably the main thing that attracted me to come here. I will also be linking up with some familiar faces that I have played with before and been coached by before, that is another thing I am really looking forward to.

“It was a tough decision because Wakefield has played a big part in my journey over here and I’ve got nothing but good things to say about the place. I am grateful for everything they have done for me, and it was a decision I didn’t take lightly. It was a great place for me but at the same time, I am looking forward to the new challenge.

“I had been at the same club for so long, so a change is probably what I needed. The fresh change and a fresh start is something that I needed to take and I am looking forward to doing that.”

Blow torch

Jacob Miller came through the ranks at Sydney Roosters and went on to make his NRL debut for Wests Tigers in 2011.

After three seasons in the NRL, he made the move to Super League with Hull FC, staying there for two seasons.

The half-back played for the Combined Nations All Stars against England in the summer, and will help to fill the void left by Jake Trueman’s departure to Hull FC.

Coach Radford added: “He’s a blow torch at half-back. At that point in his career at FC he was a 19-year-old half-back who came over with a reputation of getting the team around the field and I don’t think at that stage of his career that kind of pressure should have been applied to him.

“I’ve stayed in touch with Jacob over the years and off the field I have always got on with him. I said to him four or five years ago that I’m pleased to see the player that he has developed into, and how far he has come since being that fresh-faced novice.

“To get the opportunity to work with him again at this stage in his career, I think he will be great for Castleford Tigers. He was the captain of Wakefield for a number of years, so he’ll bring that vocal side and off the field, he’s going to bring a lot. On the field, he will bring an enormous amount because of his organization and the skill with his kicking game it’s probably an area that we’ve highlighted that we can be better at.”

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