LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
After being officially removed from the Newcastle Knights' Top 30 roster, Taj Annan has made a swift move to a new team, transitioning back to rugby union. The outside back signed with the Western Force, a shift after spending just one season in the NRL.
Joining the Knights on a three-year deal in 2025 following his time with the Queensland Reds, Annan's time in the NRL was brief. Standing at 193 cm and weighing 105 kg, the former Under-20s Australian rugby union representative did not play any first-grade matches and participated in only 14 games in the NSW Cup, where he scored five tries, made 24 tackle busts, and achieved three line-breaks, averaging 93 running metres.
Reflecting on his transition to rugby league, Annan stated, "It is different. It's starting to feel like I'm adapting to it, but it's definitely taken some time." In an interview with The Newcastle Herald at the beginning of 2025, he compared the two sports, saying, "[In union] you're in such a power, set-piece sort of game, sessions are short and sharp." He found the training for rugby league to be quite different, remarking, "But I feel like [in league] they're grindy-sort of sessions. A lot of running, endurance - up and back. I feel like that's the main difference. It's been a shock to the system. Mentally and physically."