Roberts to take on new role for Tigers

CASTLEFORD Tigers head coach Daryl Powell has named Ben Roberts as his first choice fullback for 2018.

The loss of Zak Hardaker to an expected drugs ban, has led to speculation as to who would replace the Man of Steel contender in the position, but Powell has put talk to bed by confirming Roberts will take the role.

“I think it’s his natural position anyway,” said Powell.

“I had intentions of playing him at fullback a fair bit last year. For different reasons out of our control – the Rangi Chase situation was out of our control and that meant Zak stayed at fullback throughout the competition and he was awesome there so it was very difficult to change that.

“But Benny Roberts is a natural fullback. I don’t think he’s a natural halfback, he’s a very good halfback but I think fullback is his best position.

“In some ways I think we look more of a well-balanced team than we did last year, but it’s hard to discount losing a player like Zak.

“I think his dummy half running, which is a key part of the fullback role is outstanding, and his running ability is second to none, so I think he’s really going to trouble defences. The one thing Benny has to do is make sure he’s fit because it’s a tough position to play.”

Roberts’ move to fullback will likely make former Huddersfield Giants player Jamie Ellis the club’s first choice partner for Luke Gale. ■■WAKEFIELD Trinity head coach Chris Chester says he will not be rushed into finding a replacement for head of rugby John Kear.

Former Huddersfield coach Kear made the decision to leave Belle Vue and take up the head coach role at League One Bradford Bulls.

Trinity have advertised for a new assistant to help Chester, but he is in no rush to change the coaching set-up, and said: “John was officially head of rugby when he joined us last season but that was more of a name or a title he was given.

“On a day-to-day basis he assisted me with Lee Gilmour and Stuart Dickens.

“Lee and John headed up the defensive side of it and me and Stu did the offensive stuff. It worked pretty well.

“We were all a little bit shocked as we were quite confident John was going to stay.

“But he wants to coach again and the lure of a head role was too much for him to turn down.”

Chester said Wakefield, whose opening friendly is against Super League champions Leeds Rhinos at Belle Vue on Boxing Day, have almost completed their recruitment for 2018, but the former Hull KR chief admitted that Trinity do still want to bring another half-back and a targeted Super League player is on their radar.