It’s now or never, but FC have mountain to climb to play-offs
LAST’S MEN MUST PERFORM AGAINST THE TIGERS
Hull FC will be desperate to get back to winning ways when they travel to Castleford Tigers tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).
Opinion
Hull FC are facing up to the fact that it will take a monumental effort to reach the playoffs from their current position with just eight games remaining.
It’s possible, but the maths dictates Hull will need to win all their remaining fixtures to give themselves a chance and even that might not be enough.
Add to that the fact FC have St Helens, Wigan Warriors, an away trip to Catalans Dragons, Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR remaining on their fixture list and you get an idea about the size of the challenge they have left themselves.
However, that doesn’t mean the win isn’t important this week against the Tigers, who share an identical record with Hull and so find themselves in the exact same boat.
FC’S pride has been dented over a challenging couple of weeks and they’ll be eager to restore it in some way with a win at Wheldon Road.
Scott Taylor returns and the prop forward promises to give the Black and Whites character and leadership, while Marc Sneyd will also be involved in the halves after missing the loss to Salford through precaution. Andy Last will be looking to those senior men to inspire a positive performance on a ground which Hull have found success at in recent years.
Sneyd’s kicking game will be vital in controlling the game, while a big effort from the club’s forwards is absolutely vital.
Adding to Hull’s confidence is Castleford’s injury issues. Liam Watts, Derrell Olpherts, Danny Richardson, Oliver Holmes, Jesse Sene-lefao and Calum Turner all drop out of the side, while Jake Trueman isn’t expected to be involved either.
The Black and Whites only have themselves to blame for the situation they find themselves in, but they have to give themselves every opportunity possible now, starting with a result in West Yorkshire. Prediction: Hull by 10
What they said Daryl Powell
“I think there are quite a few component parts of our team missing at the moment which is making life difficult for us.
“But we do have younger players who are coming in and doing a good job and they will be better for it. There are some positive things.
“Since lockdown, we have been pretty close i in all our games without really being good e enough. We beat Salford even though we were b behind in that game but the other matches we h have been in front. It is frustrating at the moment but we have just got to keep working hard, stay positive and keep looking to improve.”
Andy Last
“You’ve got to match their energy, they play with great energy and their kicking game is very, very good.
“They have a great way of playing at their ground and that will give them an advantage. They’ve always had great home form and they know that pitch and the surroundings well.
“We have to make sure we’re squeaky clean out of yardage and mistake-free, we get out of our end of the field well and we kick the ball well.
“We have to try and get into that arm wrestle of field position and territory because Castleford are very good at that at home.
“When we get into good ball with it being a shorter pitch, it’s making sure our attacking shapes are run with conviction and our big fellas are being genuine on their set up plays and carrying the ball hard and we expose some of the vulnerabilities we showed against them in the cup.”
The danger men
Hull will know all about the talents of Jack Sanderson, who scored against Huddersfield Giants on his Super League debut last week. He’ll be desperate to impress against the side that released him earlier this year.
The Black and Whites will also be keen to keep Paul Mcshane (pictured) quiet. He has the ability to carry Castleford at times and if he plays well, generally, the Tigers do too.
How Hull can win
Composure in key areas of the field was the difference last week and Last will be hoping to see a big improvement on that front. With Sneyd in the side he’ll be keen for more nous going forward and Taylor’s addition will hopefully tighten things up defensively.
FC were stronger that Castleford through the middle the last time the two sides met, with the likes of Jamie Shaul and Albert Kelly feeding off that platform. Kelly won’t be involved, but Last will task Connor with finding the holes in the Cas side.
Team news
Last has made four changes to his FC side. Taylor is fit enough to be involved for the first f time since lockdown. He’s overcome the back injury he’s been struggling with since July and he’s expected to provide fresh legs through the middle.
He’ll more than likely take on the captaincy with Danny Houghton not involved this week.
Josh Griffin also drops out along with Connor Wynne and Masi Matongo, while Kieran Buchanan, Lewis Bienek and Ben Mcnamara come into the 21-man squad.
Kelly and Ratu Naulago continue to fight their way back from respective hamstring and calf injuries, while Josh Jones remains absent as he battles with the aftermath of coronavirus.
Powell has made six changes to his side with Derrell Olpherts, Danny Richardson, Liam Watts, Oliver Holmes, Jesse Sene-lefao and Calum Turner missing. Jake Trueman isn’t expected to play, though, after pulling up in training yesterday.
CASTLEFORD: Michael Shenton, Jake Trueman, Paul Mcshane, Grant Millington, Mike Mcmeeken, Adam Milner, Nathan Massey, George Griffin, Cheyse Blair, Junior Moors, James Clare, Jacques O’neill, Matt Cook, Tyla Hepi, Greg Eden, Lewis Peachey, Brad Graham, Brad Martin, Gareth O’brien, Jack Sanderson, Dan Fleming
HULL FC: Jamie Shaul, Bureta Faraimo, Carlos Tuimavave, Jake Connor, Marc Sneyd, Scott Taylor, Chris Satae, Manu Ma’u, Ligi Sao, Joe Cator, Jordan Johnstone, Brad Fash, Jordan Lane, Josh Bowden, Andre Savelio, Mahe
Fonua, Kieran Buchanan, Lewis Bienek, Jack Brown, Cameron Scott, Ben Mcnamara.