Turner on settling into life at Cas

This article is taken from the February edition of Castleford Tigers' monthly magazine, ROAR. You can read it in full and for free by visiting castlefordtigers.com/roar.

After joining the club from Huddersfield Giants on a one-year deal and now having now had the chance to settle in after a few weeks of pre-season, the former Giant is able to reflect on the coming season and the mood in the training camp ahead of a big 2021 season for the Fords!

“It’s been really good! I’ve settled in really easily and I know a lot of new players say that wherever they go, but I really have. I’ve said it before; I know quite a lot of the lads already from my time in Super League, and the ones that I didn’t know, I’ve got to know quite quickly. I’ve made sure I’ve sat down and had a word with them and get to know them like that.”

One of the reasons behind’s Jordan joining Cas was his belief in Daryl Powell and the Coaching staff, it’s something that’s already become evident after just a few weeks in and around the team.

“The coaching staff have been great with me, I’m really enjoying the amount of detail that’s going into pre-season. Everything’s got a method and thought behind it and it’s all part of the process to get us to be in those big games at the end of the year.”

The start of a new season means a new line-up has to be set, and with competition all across the squad, Turner’s personal goal this season is simple:

“My aim is ultimately to start this season. Obviously, there’s a lot of competition in the spots that I’m playing in at the minute. So my main aim for the season is to cement a spot in the team and become a valuable player for the squad for the 2021 season.”

“My main priority in pre-season is getting my body right and making sure I’m as fit and as strong as I can be, and robust as I can be so that I don’t break down with injuries. I’ve been quite lucky with that throughout my career, and I know how to handle myself so they’re my main aims throughout the season and just to become a big part of the club.”

Another former Huddersfield player Suaia Matagi is also a new face in the squad for 2021. After having over a month to get to know the team together, Jordan was grateful to have someone to bed in alongside, whilst looking forward to seeing what his teammate can bring heading into the season’s start.

“It’s good to have a familiar face to settle in with. Sui’s someone that I really got along with at Huddersfield anyway and I know what he can bring and he’ll bring a lot of good qualities on and off the field to this club. He’s a great bloke, he always puts 100% in, tries really hard, and he carries the ball really well so he’s a great signing for us. But he’s settled in really well as I understand it, he also knew a couple of the boys and like me, he’s a little bit older so that transition isn’t as hard.”

At 32 years of age, the Super League veteran has been granted a testimonial year after well over a decade of service across Salford, Hull, St Helens and Huddersfield, and while it’s something he couldn’t necessarily have envisaged when starting out as a youngster at the Red Devils, Turner is relishing the chance to celebrate his career at what is a very unique time.

“I think it’s my 16th or 17th year in rugby league but I could be wrong! All the older players used to say to me it goes within the blink of an eye when I was younger and I really took it for granted what they were saying and I still feel as though it’s only a couple of years ago that I made my debut. I know it’s a long time ago now, 2006, but I’ve been really enjoyed my career so far and I feel I’ve still got plenty to offer.”

“My testimonial year is obviously not in the greatest of times, but a lot of people have shown a lot of support to me which I’d like to thank them for and I’m just going to continue in trying to make the best out of a testimonial year that I can.”

Read more from our monthly club magazine ROAR at castlefordtigers.com/roar.