McQueen proving he still has what it takes

If Chris McQueen wanted to prove a few people wrong with his move to Huddersfield Giants, then it is difficult to argue the 34-year-old has not done that over the past two years.

The one-time England international left Australia and the NRL behind in September 2020 to move to the land of his father's birth in a bid to rejuvenate his career with the Giants after struggling for game-time at Wests Tigers.

It is a move which McQueen is in no doubt has worked out just as he had hoped and the 2022 season has seen him play arguably his best rugby since moving to West Yorkshire, underlined by being named winner of the Lance Todd Trophy in Saturday's Betfred Challenge Cup final.

"I came over here at a difficult time," McQueen said. "I wasn't playing much first-grade back at home and there was all the Covid stuff going on.

"For me, it was an opportunity to get a fresh start and kickstart things because I truly believe and had no doubt I still had plenty to offer.

"I felt like back home, in the NRL, some people had probably put a line through my name and I probably had a bit of a chip on my shoulder for that.

"I certainly took coming over here as a good opportunity to prove to other people, but also prove to myself, I still had what it takes."

Although he was proud to be voted player of the match, receiving 14 of the 39 votes cast by members of the media at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium prior to the deadline of the 75th minute, McQueen - one of three try-scorers for the Giants in the final - made no secret of the face he would have swapped it for lifting the Challenge Cup.

Instead, it was Wigan Warriors who triumphed thanks to Liam Marshall's try three minutes from time which snatched a 16-14 win. That also meant for the second year