Trueman’s show lauded by Powell THAT’S A WORLD CUP HINT SAYS COACH
DARYL POWELL hailed his flexible Tigers after Jake Trueman and Paul McShane steered them to an impressive opening win.
Castleford lost concussed scrum-half Gareth O’Brien in the 21st minute, forcing hooker McShane and loose forward Adam Milner into positional switches.
But they went on to outplay a disappointingWarrington side.
Coach Powell said: “We were rattled a bit by Gaz being knocked out – he was playing great.
“It’s vital you have people who can make things happen, organise and make sure the team knows what it’s doing.
“Truey has come back a little bit more mature. We’re seeing with his game and decisionmaking that he’s not looking to make the big plays too often.
“He was our only half and thought he did an awesome job.
“It’s the World Cup at the end of the year and he’ll want to be in contention for that – he’s made a good start today.
“Macca is a kicking nine and he can fulfil that role at half if he has to drop in.”
O’Brien will sit out Friday’s clash with Leeds but scrum-half Danny Richardson could be available after a wrist injury.
The match pitted two coaches who will leave their clubs at the end of the season against each other and, on this early evidence, the Tigers look more likely to send their boss out on a high.
Warrington were flat for long periods and suffered the same attacking issues that plagued them at the end of last year.
“It wasn’t the start we were looking for,” said coach Steve Price. “That hasn’t been a reflection of how we’ve carried ourselves over the pre-season.
“But we’ll get some good valuable lessons out of today.”
Warrington trailed when Oliver Holmes touched down in the fourth minute, and despite responding through Toby King’s
well-taken try, conceded more before the break.
The excellent Niall Evalds forced his way over and then produced a sublime pass for fellow debutant Jordan Turner to finish out wide.
Daryl Clark’s introduction from the bench briefly sparked the Wolves after the break, and he scored a scintillating effort after supporting a break from namesake Jason.
But within minutes Turner was touching down for his second, and a McShane drop goal ensured Blake Austin’s late try was scant consolation for a Wolves team still flattering to deceive.
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