
Danny McGuire has assessed how his new Castleford Tigers’ signings went in the loss to Hull FC whilst also confirming that he has laid down a challenge to one of the club’s 2024 stars.
Joe Westerman’s testimonial did not end in a win for the Castleford forward as his former club Hull FC won 16-10 in John Cartwright’s first game as head coach, condemning the Tigers to a second loss in pre-season.
The first defeat came at the hands of local rivals Wakefield Trinity and was far more emphatic as McGuire’s side lost 32-8, but the 16-10 defeat was a lot more encouraging.
Speaking post-game, McGuire noted that there were “some signs there” but admitted his side must improve with a tough away Challenge Cup test against Bradford Bulls coming up next weekend.
He also spoke on his new signings, particularly in their attacking efforts with Daejarn Asi, Judah Rimbu and Zac Cini all getting a mention, whilst 2024 mid-season signing and former Hull FC man Tex Hoy was lauded with plaudits.
Castleford Tigers coach gives verdict on new signings
FC take the win at the Jungle.#COYF pic.twitter.com/j60DKAo2ef
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) February 1, 2025
In somewhat of a game of two halves, McGuire praised all performances in the first 40 but spoke specifically on those new recruits and creative outlets that have arrived at the Jungle for 2025.
“I thought everybody across the board in the first half collectively we were strong,” he explained.
“I thought Zac Cini looked decent with his footwork and he carried the ball strong. I thought Tex Hoy was the best player on the field in the first half, he looked really sharp and busy. I think DJ and Judah will take time to gel and come together so we’ll give them time and keep working with them.”
With Rowan Milnes down injured, Asi and Rimbu could be forced to start the season as a brand new half-back pairing with Papua New Guinea star Rimbu naturally a nine, and McGuire called for calm on the expectations of the duo.
He said: “We probably expect too much too soon but we’ll get there with them. Collectively I thought we were good in the first half and then second half probably not what we wanted to do or how we wanted to play.”
More specifically on Rimbu, the Castleford Tigers boss said: “I thought he did good, he’s played a lot of nine recently so he’s still finding his feet there and he has new combinations around him.
“I thought he was solid, I thought our edge defence was good, we were a little bit loose in the middle at times but Judah was good and he’ll get better.
“The more reps he gets at half-back the better he’ll be. I’m happy there and obviously I think he prefers to play nine but he’s doing what’s best for the team at the minute.”
One option that Castleford could utilise in the halves is Tex Hoy with the full-back moving into that position late on and impressing, with McGuire admitting he has challenged the Tigers’ 2024 recruit for the upcoming season.
“I think he’s been really good for us,” McGuire argued.
“I challenged him this year. I want him to be an important player on both sides of the game and I thought he was probably the best player on the field in the first 30 minutes, he was busy he made some breaks and he looked sharp.
“I was really happy with him and he moved into the halves at the back end and looked strong. I think he’s going to be strong this year.”
Next up for Castleford is that tough test against Bradford Bulls in the Challenge Cup with the game selected for coverage by the BBC, before the even tougher trip to Craven Park to start the Super League season.
