PRIOR Elijah Taylor, a star for Featherstone Rovers, has joined a new team since leaving the Championship.
The second-rower, who had a spectacular career in the NRL with 186 games for the New Zealand Warriors, Penrith Panthers, and Wests Tigers, has signed a two-year contract with the aspiring League One team Oldham.
One of the main motivations for signing a contract was to work with Sean Long, Taylor’s coach at Featherstone this year, once more.
Both on and off the field, Sean taught me a lot during my time at Rovers,” he said.
“Mike Ford and the club’s future goals really won me over.
“I’m excited to be a part of this opportunity; it’s exciting.”
Originating in Taranaki, New Zealand, he began his playing career with the New Zealand Warriors, where he scored a try in the NRL Grand Final during his breakthrough season.
His efforts brought him the Warriors’ Clubman of the Year title a year later.
Having started at loose-forward for New Zealand in the 2013 World Cup final and gone on to represent his country on 11 other occasions, he has played at the greatest level conceivable.
Following his departure from the Warriors, he signed with Penrith, where in 2015 he amassed an incredible 77 tackles out of 80 attempts, setting a new record for the most tackles made in a single NRL game during regular time.
Taylor had four productive seasons for the Sydney-based Wests Tigers after signing with the team in 2016.
After winning the Tigers’ 2017 Player of the Year award, he went on to be elected co-captain of the team the following year.
He signed a contract to move to Salford before the 2021 season, and he played for the Red Devils for 41 games, his final one being a 2022 Super League semifinal loss to St Helens.
He played for Featherstone Rovers last season, making 19 games and contributing to their League Leaders Shield victory.
Taylor will be reunited with former coach Sean Long, as well as former Rovers colleagues Matty Wildie, whose deal was revealed earlier this week, and Craig Kopczak.