16 Mar 2023

Toby Brannan: ‘On our day we can compete with any team in the league’

Rochdale Hornets forward Toby Brannan sat down to speak about scoring his first professional try, the step up from academy rugby and bouncing back against Midlands Hurricanes.

Brannan, who joined the club from Wigan Warriors’ academy in December, scored his first Hornets try in last weekend’s 38-18 Challenge Cup defeat at Dewsbury Rams.

Despite the personal achievement of scoring his first professional try, the forward admitted post-match he was more annoyed the result d go Rochdale’s way.

The 20-year-old said: “It was a relief more than anything to get my first pro try and my first for the club, but I’d rather have won the game - I don’t like losing.

“We all sat down after recovery on Monday and spent a good hour and a half going back over the game, watching videos, seeing what we could have done better and what few things we done well.

“We know ourselves there’s plenty more to come and that on our day we can compete with any team in the league.

“We have shown at times already we have the capability in our squad, but we need to turn 40 minute performances into 80 - we can’t let what happened last weekend, happen again.”

Gary Thornton’s side will be aiming to return to winning ways this Sunday, after back-to-back defeats against promotion hopefuls Doncaster and Dewsbury.

Rochdale travel to Birmingham to take on a Midlands Hurricanes side who have won one and lost one in the league so far – as well as winning both their Challenge Cup matches against amateur opponents.

Brannan is assured Hornets can get the two points this weekend, he said: “We should be going into all games confident.

“It shouldn’t be if we turn up on our day, we should be going out and competing with no excuses.

“We need to turn up on Sunday, work hard for each other and hopefully the result will show for that.”

Despite his young age, Brannan has gained Championship and League 1 experience after loan spells with Workington Town and Cornwall last season.

Having played for his hometown academy since the age of 14, Brannan’s new home is at Rochdale Hornets.

Brannan, who played alongside current Hornets centre Ben O’Keefe at Wigan, highlighted the differences between academy and professional rugby league.

He said: “When you play against academy sides you’re playing players who you can tell will be good when they’re older.

“The difference now is I’m playing against fully grown men who want to rip your head off, and not kids who just want to make it. 

“It’s very professional here at Rochdale, you can see the great work Andy Mazey is doing off the pitch that it is destined for levels above.

Brannan, who admitted he is still settling in at Hornets, revealed the older players in the squad have played a vital part in helping him adjust, and that supporters will soon see him at his best.

He said: “Zac [Braham], Arnie [Jack Arnold] and Strauff [Duane Straugheir] have helped me settle in a lot more as they were once in a position I’m in now – joining a new club when you’re young.

“In the first couple games you want to make sure you are doing the basics right.

“Eventually I’ll come out of my shell and show the supporters the qualities I have - my work rate’s high, I’m sharp, I like getting my hands on the ball and that there are more tries to come.”

Tickets for our trip to Midlands Hurricanes can be purchased, here.

Hornets are back at the Crown Oil Arena against Dewsbury Rams on 26 March - don't miss out and buy your tickets here.

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