Chris Kendall dresses down Castleford Tigers star

There is a lot of pressure on as Wakefield Trinity and Castleford Tigers meet at Belle Vue in front on the Sky Sports cameras as the result could very well determine which club will be playing in Super League come 2024.

There have been some big calls made by the officials throughout the game such as the awarding of the opening try despite a suspicion of a knock on.

There was also the disallowing of Josh Griffin’s try for offside.

Chris Kendall has been very hands on throughout the game including dressing down Castleford Tigers star Blake Austin for a late hit on Max Jowitt.

He could be heard saying: “You’ve hit him late mate, it’s not needed. It’s the second one!” he shouted,” It’s a push in the back.

“You don’t need to make that kind of contact, wrap him and take him to ground.”

It was for a similar offence in the Challenge Cup Final that Elliot Minchella was sin binned for.

Both sides have only won four games all season and currently sit tied on eight points a piece but a win on Friday night under the Belle Vue lights will see one team pull two points clear and leave their rivals staring down the barrel of relegation.

Wakefield have won their last four games at home but this fifth win would be the most important of the season so far if they can manage it, and they’ll be close to full strength for the game.

Recent signing Josh Griffin has now completed his ban and will be set to debut in the game against his former club, whilst the half back pairing of Luke Gale and Mason Lino looks set to go again with that experience proving vital potentially.

As for Castleford they now have a new man in charge with Andy Last being dismissed after their loss to Huddersfield Giants at Wheldon Road most recently.

Former London Broncos boss Danny Ward has taken over and he’ll be hoping to get off to a winning start and snap the Tigers’ current losing streak of five matches.

The Tigers are without Riley Dean who was recalled by parent club Warrington Wolves but they’ve recently made plenty of signings including PNG international Liam Horne and Lebanese star Charbel Tasipale.

Danny Ward has selected his first team as Tigers Head Coach.

Jordan Turner has had a speedy recovery from his thumb injury to return to the side and Blake Austin also comes in for what could be his Castleford debut.

This means Gareth Widdop starts at fullback.

As for Wakefield, they give a debut to Josh Griffin at centre. Jai Whitbread returns and Luke Gale and Mason Lino start in the halves.