Andy Last picks out Castleford Tigers signings who impressed against Featherstone Rovers and one youngster

Today Andy Last led Castleford Tigers against Featherstone Rovers in a pre-season friendly with Head Coach Lee Radford on a deserved holiday after helping Samoa to the Rugby League World Cup Final.

After the game, he revealed the signings that caught the eye.

“I thought Jacob Hookem did some good stuff, kicked well, kicked early. He turned them around, Jack Broadbent what he will bring to us,” he said on Tigers TV.

He then went on to reveal that Hookem should get some opportunities in 2023:

“He should have a real opportunity next season, he has come to us from Hull FC. I know Jacob well from my time there, he came and played some first grade games for them and he had an outstanding game at the end of last season against Wakefield.

“I was Wakefield assistant that night in 2021 and he was probably the best player on the pitch that night for Hull. He showed some nice touches that match.

“He’s a real competitor. He showed some nice touches. He probably played a bit erratic in that first half but I thought he controlled things really well in the second half. There is an opportunity there and what he did today will stand in him good going forward.”

There was also one moment with young Oli Agar that he was proud about:

“The highlight for me was when young Oli Agar came off the bench. He got smoked by Joey Leilua and got him laughing and had a pat on the head from Joey. He will remember that for the rest of his career and for a long long time.

“There will be plenty of moments that players will remember for a long time.”