TAANE MILNE is targeting a surge up the Super League standings by a Huddersfield Giants side boosted by new additions.
The centre or second rower is back in the UK after playing for Fiji in the Pacific Bowl.
New Zealand-born of Fijian and Maori descent, the 30-year-old featured in both the 44-24 win over Cook Islands and 50-18 defeat by Papua New Guinea, both in Port Moresby, taking his tally of Tests to 17.
That was after 22 outings in his first season with the Giants after moving from South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Huddersfield finished a distant tenth, with 20 defeats in 27 league games, and exited the Challenge Cup in round four.
The Giants have recruited forwards Mathieu Cozza (from Wakefield), Chris Patolo (Manly Sea Eagles) and Asher O’Donnell (Brisbane Tigers) and re-signed halfback Oliver Russell from Wakefield, although he is currently sidelined by a knee problem, potentially missing the start of the season.
And Milne, who also played for NRL clubs St George Illawarra Dragons and New Zealand Warriors after coming through the Sydney Roosters system and representing the Junior Kiwis, likes what he sees so far.
“We’ve got some new recruits and I’m looking forward to finding out how they add to our team,” he explained.
“In training they’re all keen to impress and having some (previously) injured lads back within the group adds to it too.
“We know last season wasn’t good enough and we’re all working extremely hard to fix things up and ensure next year is more enjoyable for us all.”
Milne says his return Down Under was refreshing, adding: “It was awesome to go back home and have a bit of a break.
“I caught up with a lot of friends and we went up to the Gold Coast, then I went into the Fiji camp.
“Representing Fiji is something I always pride myself on. There’s nothing I like more than playing for them – it’s one of the best things of my career.”
Huddersfield are currently on a training camp in Tenerife.