TIME TO SHOW TITLE GRIT
RUGBY LEAGUE Shenton fires up Cas
MICHAEL SHENTON says that it’s time for Castleford to justify their tag as the fans’ favourites.
The Tigers have wowed Super League this year and most neutrals are keen to see them rewarded with the title.
They finished the season 10 points clear and have a points difference almost three times better than their nearest rivals.
Six of their stars, including Shenton, have also been named in the Super League Dream Team.
But the Cas skipper insists it will all count for little unless they back it up by winning the Grand Final next week.
He said: “We could have everyone wanting us to win, but it doesn’t matter – it’s down to the 17 blokes on the field.
Clashes
“We probably started the season as underdogs but we’ve been superb in our consistency and it’s great that we’re in this position, but it’s only good if we can take advantage of it.”
Their semi-final opponents on Thursday are St Helens, who have won two of their three clashes this year.
Saints charged into the play-off spots with a late surge, partly inspired by the arrival of NRL superstar Ben Barba.
The full-back’s inclusion has meant a reshuffle in their backs and Shenton admits: “They are working out their best combinations so they are really dangerous. It will be a really tasty semi-final.
“We need to work hard in training, stay relaxed but not complacent and have that focus and intensity when it’s ready to go on Thursday.” Two of the ® Tigers’ Dream Team members – Zak Hardaker and Luke Gale – are also on the shortlist for the Man of Steel award.
Shenton added: “It’s really awesome that we have two of the three players on the shortlist.”
The third player is Albert Kelly who will be hoping to steer Hull to victory over Leeds in Friday’s other semi-final.
Scrum-half Gale is set to complete a remarkable recovery by facing St Helens just a fortnight after having his appendix removed.
The 29-year-old England international had emergency surgery and feared his season was over, which would have also ruled him out of the World Cup.
“I keep pushing it day by day and it’s progressing slowly but surely,’’ said Gale.
“I’ll have a late fitness test on Wednesday and hopefully I will get the green light.”
Gale admits when he first felt ill he was initially told he had indigestion. He added: “I rang my physiotherapist and, when I told what sort of pain it was, he prescribed Gaviscon. He won’t thank me for that.
“The pain was pretty tough and it got gradually worse. He rang 111 for me and they came and hooked me up to a drip.
‘‘The doctor at hospital said straight away, ‘You’ll have to have an operation tonight’.
“At one point I thought that everything I had done this year had all come to an end, and it was quite hard to take.” 8