Off-contract Huddersfield ace Chris McQueen “not ready to retire yet”
Chris McQueen won the Lance Todd Trophy in the Challenge Cup final
Lance Todd Trophy winner Chris McQueen is out of contract at the end of the season, but he says he wants to extend his time with Huddersfield.
The Australian forward was unlucky to be in the losing side on Saturday. The Giants fell short to a 16-14 defeat against Wigan in the Challenge Cup final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
McQueen was voted the Lance Todd Trophy winner by members of the media after a man of the match performance at Spurs.
The 34-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, but he has been one of the standout forwards in Super League this season.
Speaking after the final, McQueen said: “I’m out of contract but my body’s good.
“I feel like I’m holding up pretty well. I feel I’ve still got a lot to offer, so I’m definitely interested in extending my contract.
“I feel I’m playing good footy. I know my role and it’s pretty simple at this club, so that certainly helps.
“I don’t feel ready to retire yet.”
GIANTS: Luke Yates urges Huddersfield to use final defeat as motivation to win Super League
Chris McQueen “fully deserved” Lance Todd Trophy
McQueen has made more than 200 career appearances for South Sydney Rabbitohs, Gold Coast Titans, Wests Tigers and Huddersfield.
He won a solitary cap for England in 2017 after qualifying to play through his English father. He also represented Queensland six times in the State of Origin arena.
Huddersfield coach Watson says McQueen fully deserved the Lance Todd Trophy on Saturday.
He said: “He has been our man of the match for most of our games this season. He has been phenomenal.
“Not everyone sees what goes on behind the scenes. For someone like Chris to have played the level he has and to keep consistently doing what he’s doing week in, week out is a massive pat on the back for Chris.
“I fully thought he deserved it. He is a top professional.”
McQueen said he was proud to win the Lance Todd Trophy, but would have swapped it for a Challenge Cup win in a heartbeat.
He added: “It is something I’m extremely proud of but if you ask anyone who got man of the match in a losing team, then they’d give that back for the trophy. For sure, I’m proud but I would have preferred the other one.”
READ MORE: Emotional Bevan French dedicates Challenge Cup win to his late mother
