Castleford Tigers: Time for us to step up and grasp our opportunities urges Mike McMeeken

IT'S TIME for the tough to get going, Castleford Tigers forward Mike McMeeken says.
Mike McMeeken. Picture: Simon Hulme.Mike McMeeken. Picture: Simon Hulme.
Mike McMeeken. Picture: Simon Hulme.

Tigers are now an established top-four club, but have yet to win a major final – despite being league leaders two years ago – and McMeeken reckons they are ready to cast off the ‘nearly men; tag.

Castleford will go into the new season without England half-back and former Man of Steel Luke Gale after he suffered a ruptured Achilles in training last week, but according to the former London Broncos pack man, there are no excuses.

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“We have been consistent in getting into the top four over the last few years and it’s time for us to step up and make the most of our chances,” insisted the Basingstoke-born 24-year-old.

Castleford Tigers players enjoy a joke during their annual media day at Rogerthorpe Hall.Castleford Tigers players enjoy a joke during their annual media day at Rogerthorpe Hall.
Castleford Tigers players enjoy a joke during their annual media day at Rogerthorpe Hall.

“We had a Grand Final two years ago and didn’t take our chance then and we had an opportunity last year in the semi-final and disappointingly we didn’t get any further than that.

“It is time for us to stop the talking, more actions on the field and take our opportunities.”

Castleford have not signed anyone since the end of last season, though former Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR forward Chris Clarkson is training with them on a trial basis.

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McMeeken feels that is a vote of confidence from coach Daryl Powell and believes the players are hungry to repay the boss’ faith.

“We got Peter [Mata’utia] and Liam Watts last season and they’ve had a full pre-season with us,” McMeeken pointed out.

“That helps in terms of combinations and it’s good that Powelly has a lot of trust in us.

“He has said we don’t need any players from other clubs and it shows he has a lot of confidence in us.

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“The belief we have around the place is massive at the moment. We all feel we can win something.

“We have been pushing ourselves hard in training and the standard in training has gone up in pre-season and we are just looking forward to week one.”

Gale’s injury has cast a shadow over the squad, but McMeeken stressed full confidence in the players poised to step in.

“The Galey injury has hit us at a bad time, but we all wish him a speedy recovery,” he said.

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“He’s a big loss for us, but it’s time for the likes of Cory Aston, to take his place and Benny Roberts and Jamie Ellis.

“It is up to them to step up now, but pre-season has gone well.

“It has been tough, but enjoyable. It has been a bit different to the last ones we’ve had.

“We had a camp up in Cumbria and [today] we’re off to Lanzarote and we’re all looking forward to that.”

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Tigers return from the Canary Island next Thursday and will face Catalans Dragons in their Betfred Super League opener 15 days later, on Friday, February 1.

The warm weather training camp will be a crucial part of preparations for the big kick off and McMeeken predicted: “We’ll get to fine tune different aspects of our game.

“We will be putting different things together and going through our plays and it works well for us because we’ve got a friendly at Leeds the Sunday after we come back so we can use the things we’ve been working on in Lanzarote in that game.”