Tomorrow they host Hull FC with the aim of regaining their Super League form after three consecutive defeats in the competition.
Castleford showed his true self by impressively defeating the Warrington Wolves in Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final, a victory that has set an end date with St Helens on July 17.
However, with the games full of strength and fast, they will visit Wakefield Trinity next Wednesday, the strength, durability and character of their team will be tested to the limit in a hectic schedule that will see them play seven games in just 31 days.
Winger Niall Evalds plus midfielder Jake Trueman and Gareth O’Brien, all so influential against Wire, are out of the team against Hull and Cheyse Blair and Daniel Smith are not ready to resume.
It means there is a quick retirement for scrum half Danny Richardson and prop George Griffin is back from his suspension, but the Tigers will still have less force against Hull, who narrowly lost in their Challenge Cup semi-final to St Helens.
“We have to try to manage our way through this really difficult period,” insisted Powell.
“The season is completely different and it really is crazy when you see how many games we are going to have to play.
“We just have to take it week after week and try to get our best team out onto the field and try to get outstanding performances every week.
“(Of the three injured) they are all struggling a bit with different things.
“Gaz says it would be good to play this week. Niall was in pain. Jake Trueman still has a problem with that back. It is hard work.
“We have important games that come strong and fast and we are trying to have a team on the field every week that is competitive.
“That was a great game last week. We absolutely had to win last week and in and around that we have to work really hard to do our best to score league points and it’s tough at the moment. “
Managing the players and their workload in preparation for Wembley will be just as difficult, but Powell insisted: “I think players have to put their hands up to play.
“It is tough but it is a tough sport. You cannot play a semi-final and then a final.
“You have games to play (in the middle). That’s the way it is.
“They have to raise their hands and get ready to play.
“Right now, we have few troops and we are struggling to make our way, but none of them (injured players) are long-term or medium-term.
“They are all short term. We just have to get back on track in the league, which will be tough as we are playing a Hull team that is struggling after last week and they too will want to get back on track quickly. “
Castleford started the campaign in good shape but fell to eighth place after his last league outing – a 60-6 record loss at home to Leeds Rhinos.
They will be desperate to give Tigers fans something to cheer on when they return to Wheldon Road tomorrow.
That said, Hull, who is in fifth place, now only has the Super League to focus on.
“They started the season exceptionally well, but that was a difficult result for them last week,” Powell said. Hull rallied from 20-2 and fell behind 21-18 in the final minutes before Regan Grace intercepted Jake Connor’s pass to secure the Saints. ‘passage to Wembley.
“They made their way back to the game and showed the character that they have. “They’re heartbreakers, those; they’re three points down and throw an interception.
“But that’s the beauty of the sport. We have all been there on both sides.
“I’m sorry for them, but you win and you lose and you have to drive both ways. We have to focus on ourselves. “
Meanwhile, the Covid outbreaks announced over the past 24 hours, which have seen Friday’s games between Leeds Rhinos and St Helens, as well as Huddersfield Giants and Wigan Warriors, both postponed, have raised obvious concerns for Powell.
It is the first time since last year that a Super League match has been canceled due to the pandemic and, with Wembley looming, Castleford will be desperate to avoid positive tests or close contacts on his own.
Powell accepted that they will have to be more “vigilant” and added: “We all have a duty to take care of ourselves.
“Everyone is getting a little more relaxed about it (Covid) right now for obvious reasons.
“But we have to try to make sure that we take care of ourselves.
“We have to focus on ourselves; there is no point being too wrapped up in anything else.
“We need to deal with what is in front of us right now and go from there.
“Otherwise, it becomes too difficult.”
Castleford, who never won the league and last won the Cup in 1986, certainly has …
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Source: www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-06-09 16:42:10
