Coach Danny McGuire has revealed what he said to gutted star Tex Hoy following Castleford Tigers’ Challenge Cup exit against Bradford Bulls.
Tigers bowed out 18-16 away to the Championship side last weekend, after Hoy was narrowly off target with a last-minute attempt to convert his own try.
The former Hull FC man was visibly upset as the final whistle blew, but McGuire tipped him to bounce back when Tigers begin their Super League campaign away to Hull KR on Friday.
“He actually went up in my estimation,” McGuire said. “He got a smack around his chops before the try, he was bleeding and a bit dizzy, but he still stood up and took the kick.
“He didn’t want to shy away from the responsibility so for me, he has gone up in my books. It would have been quite easy to pass the ball to somebody else and shy away from the pressure.
“I think he is playing really well and he has really developed since he has come to Cas. It seems like he is enjoying doing what he is doing.
“He is playing out of position for us, but he’s doing it because it’s what’s needed for the team.
“I have got his back, he has been practicing again today [Thursday] and I’m confident next time he’s in that situation he’ll knock it over.”
Hoy, normally a full-back, played at stand-off last week and will “play some form of half” on Friday, McGuire confirmed.
He added: “We are still working on how the roles and responsibilities can work between Daejarn Asi and Tex and Fletcher Rooney while Rowan Milnes is out.
“It didn’t quite work with Judah Rimbu there, he feels more comfortable at nine, so we’ll persevere with that at the minute and try to get that combination working well.”
McGuire is not planning major changes, but confirmed on-loan St Helens centre Ben Davies will make his debut this week.
He said: “I felt like we needed some cover in the outside-backs. I have seen a lot of him at Saints and know he is a very tidy player who just needs an opportunity.
“We were happy to give him that in an area we were a little bit short in. He will play some part this week.”
Cain Robb is sidelined this week through illness. Back-rower Nick Staveley, who has joined Castleford Tigers on trial after leaving Hull FC, is still recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered last year and McGuire said he is around six weeks away from being available to play.
The coach hopes to have Alex Mellor back in contention next week, with Milnes “a few weeks” away, but other casualties don’t have a return date.
