After a whirlwind FIVE moves in just 19 months, Aussie hooker Nathan Peats is finally “home” with Huddersfield.
The former New South Wales State of Origin star could feel as dazed as the opponents he runs rings around after his crazy timeline. Peats, 32, initially moved to the UK with Leigh in March last year. But after just 11 games he switched to Huddersfield on loan for the rest of the season, impressing in Ian Watson’s side.
However, they had no space for him in 2022 so the ex-South Sydney rake headed to French Championship Albi before Toulouse came calling. After their Super League relegation, though, he rejoined Huddersfield in October on a two-year deal. To add to it all he flies home to Australia again on Tuesday for Christmas.
Peats, who linked again with Huddersfield after Samoa hooker Danny Levi’s sudden departure back Down Under for family reasons, conceded: “It has been a whirlwind year. I’d a great time at Giants first time but with quota spots and everything else it didn't happen so I went to Albi.
"I played there until May, flew home to Australia, and the day we landed Toulouse said do you want to come back and sign for another two years! All five of us got back on a plane straight back to France. I went back to Gold Coast for this off-season and within the first week of being there, the Huddersfield thing popped up!”
Peats added: “They requested the release from Toulouse so it’s been a whirlwind. Even when we left Giants last year we stayed in a hotel for 10 days as there was no house in France ready. With three kids, it was tough but my wife’s been with me through thick and thin in my career so they’re quite used to it. It’s been like a massive big circle but I’m happy and feel like I’m home now. It’s all worthwhile and I’ve come here to win the competition.”
Peats’ wife Jade and kids Leyton (seven), Harlen, (five) and Goldie (two) have stayed in Australia while he rips into pre-season training but they’ll return with him at the end of the month. He added: “My eldest kid’s been in French schools for the last year so his learning’s dropped off a little bit. He was trying to learn French and had the difficulties that come with that so when we went back to Australia for the off-season, I put him into another school there.
"I just thought it’d be best if I came back here on my own to start, do the pre-season, get the house set up while they can enjoy the sun and get that schooling in. But it’s a blessing I’ve been here before because I’ve been to a few new teams and it’s quite daunting, like a first day at a school.
“The fact I knew about 90 percent of the players was the biggest bonus as that eased the transition. I know the names and the calls so it has been easier. It’s been enjoyable.”
Huddersfield finished third and reached the Challenge Cup final last term but Peats believes they can go higher in 2023. He added: “I'm head down and focused. I'm at that age now where I know I haven’t got many years left so I'm pushing really hard but also looking after myself as well. I’ve done that throughout my career but I've had fun too. This is the point now, though, where I want to give everything I can to try and go out on top. I think we have the team to do it."
