He’s cast off the bad times
REMI CASTY admits he’ll enjoy today’s Challenge Cup Final all the more because of Catalans’ recent horror story.
The Dragons only saved their Super League lives in a tense Million Pound Game win over Leigh last year.
Leigh have since gone into free fall, while Catalans struggled for the opening three months of this season.
But Casty, 33, says those dark times will make them appreciate today’s Wembley showdown even more.
He said: “There is pressure but it will be a positive pressure because you can win something at the end.
“Last year in the £1m game it was suffocating pressure. This game we can enjoy and try our best to come back with a trophy.”
Casty played in Catalans’ only previous Challenge Cup Final in 2007 when they lost 30-8 to St Helens.
He said: “There were 80,000 people and it was so loud. It was unbelievable and amazing for me as a young player.
“I cannot remember everything about it because it went so quick, so I will tell the young players to enjoy and appreciate every single time of the day.” Casty also played under coach Steve McNamara during his one season in the NRL in 2014 with Sydney Roosters.
He said: “He was an assistant coach and he helped me a lot.
“I was happy when he came to Catalans because I knew he would bring something good for us.” McNamara helped the Dragons survive last year after taking over in May, but suffered a bad start to this season with nine defeats out of 11.
But Casty said the former England boss never lost faith, adding: “He’s always positive with us. “Even when we did not play well he always tried to keep us working very hard and said that we will do something in the end.
“It has happened because we’re in the top eight and now in the Challenge Cup Final.”