Huddersfield Giants confirm signing of Esan Marsters from NRL

Josh McAllister 17 Sep 2022 12:47 PM

Huddersfield Giants have confirmed the signing of Esan Marsters from the Gold Coast Titans on a two-year deal.

Marsters, 26, has made 85 appearances in the NRL across stints with Wests Tigers, North Queensland Cowboys and most recently the Gold Coast Titans.

He made five appearances under Justin Holbrook in 2022 for the Titans.

The centre has won six caps for New Zealand and three for Cook Islands.

Esan Marsters on Super League move

Marsters said: “I spoke to Ian Watson and we had a good conversation. He touched on a few details that are really important to me, speaking about my footy career and how I have been playing in the NRL.

“It was more so the conversation I had with him and plus Kevin (Naiqama) some of the boys I was with at the Tigers are in the Huddersfield team, so it made a bit easier for me.

“I am a ball runner, a ball attacker. I’ve been really working on my defence here in the NRL and it’s an area that me and Watto spoke about when we had our original conversation. He spoke about the way he wants to defend and how I fit into that. You know, I have been moving around into different systems so now hopefully this will be a system that I can fit into.

“It’s massive for me, coming over and experiencing what England is like, doing some travelling but also, it’s a great opportunity to concentrate and enjoy my footy in the Super League.

“You know it is a really tough league. I’ve been watching a few games. Hopefully I can help out wherever I can in the team and build on these last few weeks and months when I come to Huddersfield.”

Ian Watson gets his man

Head coach Ian Watson added: “Esan is an amazing attacking threat with ball in hand but is a player who is willing to do the tough things for his team in defence so will be a huge addition to our squad for 2023.

“He’s a player I have watched and admired from a far for a number of years now, most memorably watching him tear it up at West Tigers and New Zealand against England in 2018/2019.

“He’s a player who is equally at home on both sides of the field and has the ability to play in a few positions.”

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