Tigers looks to regain their bite against Hull

25 March 2015 01:46

After last season's historic achievements it has been a tough start to 2015 for Castleford but winger Justin Carney is confident the new-look Tigers can be even better than the previous incarnation.

Castleford finished fourth in the 2014 Super League table, their highest-ever finish, and secured their first play-off berth since 2009.

In addition to that Daryl Powell's side also made it all the way to the Challenge Cup final before being beaten out by their Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos at Wembley.

The winter off saw a lot of personnel changes for the Tigers however, Man of Steel Daryl Clark leaving for Warrington the biggest loss, while they have acquired brand new half-back pairing in Ben Roberts and Luke Gale.

Almost inevitably the start to the 2015 season has involved some growing pains therefore, with the Tigers coming into round 7 this weekend down in ninth in the table with just two wins to their name.

But Carney, who despite his team's slow start has been in fine form with eight tries already, is confident we have not seen anything like the best from the Tigers this season.

"The mood in the camp is pretty positive," said the former Sydney Rooster, who welcomes Hull FC to the Jungle this weekend.

"In fact it's been pretty positive all year even though we have not had the results that we wanted.

"This is a completely new team, with new halves and new faces in key positions all over the field. But we are working it out and gelling together, we know that we will get there.

"Last year I said we could challenge for top four and I took a lot of stick for it. I believe this team has the potential to be as good if not better than last year.

"It's just a case of getting to know each other, playing games together back to back and the performances will come."

Elsewhere Leeds Rhinos travel to Catalan Dragons on Sunday and captain Jamie Peacock has backed new signing Adam Cuthbertson for an England call-up.

The former Newcastle Knight qualifies due to his Warrington-born father and Peacock drew comparisons with Kiwi-born Rangi Chase, who featured for England in the 2013 World Cup.

"The bigger pool you can get for England the better," he added. "We are seeing that within all sports now with eligibility rules, so why not?

"I can't speak for other players, you would have to ask them if it puts their noses out of joint but it never bothered me.

"He (Cuthbertson) has been really good for us this year. He's slotted straight into Super League."

Widnes Vikings, who travel to Salford Red Devils this Thursday, have announced the appointment of Brett Hodgson as the new Academy head coach.

Hodgson, who made 350 appearaances in the NRL and Super League as well as State of Origin for New South Wales, will now combine his role in Denis Betts' coaching team alongside his Academy responsibilities

"It's a big honour to be able to coach the Academy this season. There are a lot of talented players in our setup that we hope will progress to the first team in the next couple of years and I'm looking forward to working closely with them," he said.

Thursday

Salford Red Devils v Widnes Vikings

Friday

Castleford Tigers v Hull FC, Hull KR v St Helens, Warrington Wolves v Huddersfield Giants, Wigan Warriors v Wakefield Wildcats

Saturday

Catalans Dragons v Leeds Rhinos

Source: AFP