Tigers’ Wardle hopes to tackle more talented younger sibling
CASTLEFORD TIGERS’ Joe Wardle readily accepts his younger brother Jake is already a better player than him – but that will not matter if they meet when Huddersfield Giants arrive at Wheldon Road on Thursday.
Wardle Snr, 26, is certainly no mug himself having won the 2013 League Leaders’ Shield with Huddersfield and played in the NRL with Newcastle Knights last year before joining Castleford.
But big things are expected of his talented sibling who, at 19, has made a breakthrough for Giants this term, scoring twice on debut against Widnes Vikings in June.
Wardle admitted: “He is (better than me). We’re two different types of players but he’s definitely a more natural kid.
“He killed it on that debut. He had everything – two tries and sin-binned. He is a good lad and he really knuckles down and looks after himself. He’s a proper athlete even at that young age so he deserves it. I’m proud of him.”
Jake Wardle has played three games this term, getting another chance with Leroy Cudjoe missing and scoring again in Friday’s 26-24 loss at Warrington Wolves.
He played left centre and, with his elder brother switched from back-row to right centre at Castleford in recent games, the Halifax-born pair could be in direct opposition this week.
Wardle added: “It could happen. Obviously it depends on a few things but it’d be really nice if I did get to play Jake.
“When we’re at home he’s always saying ‘I’d have you’ and, to be fair, skills-wise he probably would. But I’d just go out there to smash him and play dirty!
“He’s always around at our house. It’s like having having three kids instead of two. He just scavenges off me.” LEEDS RHINOS’ hopes of edging closer to Super League safety are boosted by Salford Red Devils’ star Australian half-back Jackson Hastings being banned for Friday’s Qualifiers meeting between the sides.
Hastings, regarded as one of the brightest young talents in the NRL, was surprisingly released by Manly Sea Eagles earlier this season and subsequently moved to the UK with Salford.
He has proved a revelation, helping them win all five games in which he has featured so far.
Hastings’s stellar performances have seen the 22-year-old linked with Wigan Warriors for 2019 and he was set to be a thorn in the side of Leeds, who still have work to do to avoid relegation.
However, the ex-Sydney Rooster will be missing after receiving a two-match penalty notice following his dismissal for a high tackle in the Qualifiers win over Toronto Wolfpack.
Hastings has until 11am today to fight the charge and face a disciplinary hearing.
Salford’s former Leeds prop Luke Burgess is also set to sit out due to a one-match penalty notice for his sending-off and high tackle in the same match.
Wigan forward Macauley Davies, 22, has been forced to retire immediately on medical grounds.
Scans revealed he has Chiari Malformation, a condition where the lower part of the brain pushes into the spinal canal.
The pre-existing condition was discovered when he was sent to a specialist as part of the return-toplay head injury protocols after being concussed with Swinton.
Warrington Wolves’ head of performance Jon Clarke will leave at the end of the season to take up a strength and conditioning role with the England rugby union side.