Blake Taaffe

Blake Taaffe

Personal information
Full name	Blake Wayne Taaffe
Born	(1999-04-21) 21 April 1999 (age 26) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height	179 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight	85 kg (13 st 5 lb)
Playing information
Position	Fullback, Halfback
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2021–23 South Sydney 31 6 60 0 144 2024–25 Canterbury Bulldogs 12 2 0 0 8 2026– Castleford Tigers 2 1 0 0 4 Total 45 9 60 0 156
Source: [1] As of 15 February 2026

Blake Taaffe (born 21 April 1999) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a fullback for the Castleford Tigers in the Super League.

He has previously played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the National Rugby League.

Early life

Taaffe was educated at Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College.^{[ citation needed ]}

Playing career

2021

In round 15 of the 2021 NRL season, Taaffe made his first grade debut for South Sydney against the Brisbane Broncos in a 46–0 victory. ^{[2] [3]}

Taaffe played a total of eight games for South Sydney in the 2021 NRL season including the club's 2021 NRL Grand Final defeat against Penrith. ^[4]

2022

Taaffe played a total of ten games for South Sydney in the 2022 NRL season. Taaffe did not feature in any of South Sydney's finals matches as the club reached the preliminary final before losing to Penrith. ^[5]

2023

In round 19 of the 2023 NRL season, Taaffe scored two tries for South Sydney in their 36-32 loss against Canterbury. ^[6]

On 31 July, Taaffe signed a two-year deal to join Canterbury starting in 2024. ^[7]

On 24 September, Taaffe played for South Sydney in their 2023 NSW Cup grand final victory over North Sydney. Taaffe was named as man of the match for his performance in the final. ^[8]

2024

In round 1 of the 2024 NRL season, Taaffe made his club debut for Canterbury in their 28-6 loss against arch-rivals Parramatta. ^[9]

Taaffe played a total of nine games for Canterbury in the 2024 NRL season as they qualified for the finals finishing 6th on the table. ^[10]

2025

On 25 August, Taaffe signed a three-year deal to join the Castleford Tigers from 2026. ^{[11] [12]}

Taaffe was limited to only four games with Canterbury in the 2025 NRL season and did not feature in their finals campaign. ^[13]

2026

Taaffe was assigned Castleford's number 1 shirt for the 2026 season. ^{[14] [15]} He scored a try on debut on 8 February against Doncaster in the Challenge Cup. ^[16] In the opening round of Super League against Wigan Warriors, Taaffe suffered a knee injury in the second half; ^[17] he was later confirmed to have suffered a ruptured ACL, thus ruling him out for the entire remainder of the year. ^{[18] [19]}

Statistics

Appearances and points in all competitions by year

Club	Season	Tier	App	T	G	DG	Pts
South Sydney Rabbitohs	2021	NRL	8	1	6	0	16
	2022	NRL	10	2	30	0	68
	2023	NRL	13	3	24	0	60
	Total		31	6	60	0	144
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	2024	NRL	8	2	0	0	8
	2025	NRL	4	0	0	0	0
	Total		12	2	0	0	8
Castleford Tigers	2026	Super League	2	1	0	0	4
Career total			45	9	60	0	156

As of match played 15 February 2026 ^[1]

References

1. "Blake Taaffe - Playing Career - RLP". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
2. "South Sydney Rabbitohs thrash Brisbane Broncos 46-0, Payne Haas on report". ABC News. 17 June 2021.
3. "Souths set to unleash latest rookie sensation as cover for Latrell". www.foxsports.com.au. 16 June 2021.
4. "One of finest NRL grand finals of all time provides cure to difficult season". www.theguardian.com. 3 October 2021.
5. "Penrith Panthers defeat South Sydney Rabbitohs 32-12 to qualify for third straight NRL grand final". ABC News. 24 September 2022.
6. "Youngsters shining at Accor as Dogs rookie winger's third try puts game to bed - LIVE". www.foxsports.com.au. 8 July 2023.
7. "Blake Taaffe joins Canterbury on a two year deal". www.sportingnews.com.
8. "Taaffe's statement as Souths end 40-year drought; veteran's captain's knock: Reserves Wrap". www.foxsports.com.au.
9. "Dogs' Foxx fear compounds rough night; Eels may have finally solved big issue: What we learned". www.foxsports.com.au.
10. "Bulldogs left 'frustrated' by semi final defeat as new standards laid bare". www.nine.com.au.
11. Bower, Aaron (13 August 2025). "Castleford Tigers launch transfer move for Canterbury Bulldogs fullback". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
12. "Tigers sign Blake Taaffe on three-year deal". Castleford Tigers. 25 August 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
13. "Clue to what went horribly wrong for Bulldogs emerges in 'unhappy ending'". www.nine.com.au.
14. Chapman Coombe, Louis (26 December 2025). "Castleford Tigers reveal 2026 squad numbers with new-look top 17 and shocks confirmed". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
15. Smith, Peter (6 February 2026). "Castleford Tigers' Blake Taaffe talks passionate fans, pride in the shirt & hitting ground running v Doncaster". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
16. O'Brien, James (7 February 2026). "Doncaster 0 Castleford Tigers 14: Not picture perfect but job done for Ryan Carr". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
17. Brocksom, Sam (15 February 2026). "Keighran sees yellow, Eckersley try double, Blake Taaffe concern and more Castleford Tigers v Wigan Warriors talking points". Serious About Rugby League. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
18. "Castleford's Taaffe to miss rest of season". BBC Sport. 17 February 2026. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
19. Harber, Tony (17 February 2026). "Castleford Tigers rocked by huge injury blow for star signing Blake Taaffe". Wakefield Express. Retrieved 19 February 2026.

External links

• South Sydney Rabbitohs profile