Cool welcome for Aussie Brad

The 22 stone prop has waved goodbye to the 35 degree heat of Wagga Wagga in New South Wales for temperatures hovering around the zero mark in West Yorkshire on his first trip abroad.

Crawford is teaming up with his clubmate Ross Sterling, who has made a big impression with his work rate and strength in the Woodhead side’s second row this season.

Brods chairman Richard Turner said Crawford would be available for Saturday’s re-arranged home game against Hullensians in Yorkshire One.

The front rower had trained with the other players on Tuesday evening and is due to do so again tonight.

Long-serving tight head Jamie McLaughlin is unavailable, paving the way for a likely Crawford debut on Saturday.

Turner said: “I met him along with other members of the football committee on Tuesday night. He’s a big unit at 22 stone and only 22 years of age.

“His dad played for Huddersfield RLFC for two seasons in the eighties and went on to play for Carcassonne so it looks like the young man has a bit of pedigree.”

Powerful Kiwi centre Sam Deacon is also due to make his first team comeback on Saturday after a try-scoring return from a knee injury for the second team 13 days since.

Turner said Deacon was “ripping up trees in anticipation”.