Castleford Tigers coach Ryan Carr backs defensive systems, insists 'execution' key to York Knights 4-pointer
Coach Ryan Carr insists Castleford Tigers’ defensive systems do work, but admits they have to execute them better.
Tigers, who visit York Knights tomorrow (Saturday), have conceded more points than any other team in Betfred Super League, including 100 in their past two matches - a 50-10 loss to Hull FC and 50-6 defeat against Hull KR. But before that they won 24-16 at Wigan Warriors, keeping the hosts scoreless in the second half and Carr reckons that proved the plan works when it’s done right.
“We conceded six tries on fifth play against Hull KR,” Carr recalled. “There were two tries in that game when we got to the kick return and then dropped it over the line and they put a hand on the ball.
“I don’t think that’s a system issue. There were some executions of our systems that let us down, but the accountability is really high at our club. For me as a coach, that’s what’s important - the accountability is high, the clarity is high, we just have to continue to go after who we know we can be.”
Carr stressed: “You can’t keep Wigan to nil in the second half and then say it’s a system issue - it’s execution of what we are trying to achieve. We have just got to do things better for longer.
“That’s what’s important. The last two games we’ve played, 70 per cent possession against at half-time; you’re not going to win if you don’t have 50-50 at least share of the ball.
“We are working hard on finding ways we can fix ourselves up to make sure we do get 50 per cent of the ball. Seventy-30 for two weeks in a row is not sustainable.”
Saturday is Tigers first meeting with York since they won 24-16 in a Northern Rail Cup tie at Huntington Stadium 21 years ago. The position on the table - Castleford are second from bottom, three places behind Knights on for and against - makes it a four-pointer, but Carr insisted: “They are all big games.
“They are all important to me and there’s no more important game than the one you are about to play. That is all we are focused on right now.”
Outside-back Louis Senior could make his first appearance of the season for Tigers after recovering from an ankle injury. Utility Ashton Golding (calf muscle) and forward George Hirst (concussion) are also back in the mix and prop George Lawler is available following a two-match ban. Carr believes his side have put the time since their defeat at Hull KR to good use.
“We’ve had a really good fortnight at training,” he added. “We had a few new players come into our squad the week of the last game who have had a good fortnight of training with the boys, getting to know the systems and processes. That can only make us better prepared.”
York Knights: from Mata’afa, Wood, Galeano, Hingano, Martin, McShane, Vaughan, Dee, Balmforth, Va’a, Sangare, Hudson, Buchanan, Bennison, Dagger, Foster, Vuniyayawa, Hunter, Roberts, Nofoaluma.
Castleford Tigers: from Cini, McIntosh, Asi, Weaver, Atoni, Lawler, Lane, Mellor, Stimson, Greacen, Ashworth, Doolan, Senior, Qareqare, Mapapalangi, Hall, Robb, Golding, Hirst, Laulu-Togaga’e, Dupree.
Referee: Marcus Griffiths (Widnes). Kick-off: Saturday, 3pm.