Huddersfield Giants sign Melbourne Storm star Ryan Hinchcliffe on three-year deal
Monday 22 June 2015 11:05, UK
Huddersfield Giants have announced the signing of Melbourne Storm star Ryan Hinchcliffe on a three-year deal.
The 30-year-old forward will fly into the UK in late November for pre-season training with the Giants ahead of the 2016 season.
Hinchcliffe is a member of the Storm leadership group and captained the side in their recent NRL game against Penrith, although he was on the bench for Sunday's defeat to Brisbane Broncos.
He has made a total of 184 appearances in the NRL, 163 of them since joining the Storm from Canberra in 2009, and has twice won the NRL Grand Final and played in two World Club Challenges.
Giants head coach Paul Anderson said: “This is a huge signing for our club and in truth Ryan has been our number one target to bring in for quite some time now. He is a quality nine but equally at home at loose forward.
“He has been in one of the best environments in rugby league at Melbourne for seven years now being an automatic pick in the side. His defensive efforts are up there with the best and I particularly like what he will bring with his leadership and experience in big games.
“You simply don’t get to lead the Melbourne Storm side out unless you have very special qualities and his NRL record is outstanding. We are looking forward immensely to welcoming him and his family to our club.”
Hinchcliffe said: “Huddersfield made their interest known quite some time back and I’ve had a few chats with coach Paul Anderson about the team and what he’s looking for. They’ve been close to the top for a few years and I hope that I can help them build on that.
“The reality is though it’s a big move for me and the family to a new culture and we hope we can repay Huddersfield’s faith in us.
“For now my focus is purely on finishing well here at the Melbourne Storm and then the focus will shift to the UK and Huddersfield, where I look forward to the challenges it presents."
