Mick Cassidy is a legend of rugby league. The former Wigan prop was one of the most recognisable faces in rugby league during nineties and played for his hometown club on 368 occasions.
Since retiring in 2008, Cassidy, who also represented Great Britain, has spent time in the coaching ranks of several clubs, including Wigan, but now limits his involving in the game to coaching his son’s junior side.
The 50-year-old still keeps a close eye on the current game though and in particular his beloved Wigan. Speaking to Serious About Rugby League, he reflected on the Warriors success in 2023.
“It’s been a great season for them, apart from losing the Challenge Cup in the semi-final against Hull KR,” said Cassidy.
He continued: “It was great to see Catalans in the final and many wanted them to win, so it’s a great achievement for them (Wigan) and it’s nice to see the trophy back in Wigan.
“They had a tough start to the season, especially with a couple of injuries. It was great to see them bring in young players throughout the season and to end it with silverware makes it even better.”
Cassidy was part of the Wigan team that won the first-ever Super League Grand Final in 1998, and SARL asked him how the current team compared to the one he was in that lifted the same trophy 25 years ago.
“It’s hard because the game has change so much, especially in the last five to six years,” Cassidy explained.
“In my eyes the game is a little bit too clinical now, so it’s hard to compare the two but there were a lot more skilful players who would do something ‘off the cuff’ back when I played, whereas now you can kind of predict where the ball/tackle is going to be.
“It’s tough to compare the two teams now, but obviously we had the best team,” Cassidy concluded.
With the domestic season being over, English Rugby League fans have been turning their attention to the international stage in recent week with England facing Tonga in a three-match Test Series.
Cassidy, who is a former England international, believes Tonga have proved to be a good test for England, despite Shaun Wane’s side wrapping up the series early having won the opening two matches.
“It’s the right level considering the coach has picked players who will be the future for England in the next five years, so they need to gain experience at international level.
“Playing the likes of New Zealand and Australia would be difficult for them, and they might have become disheartened at the start of their careers, being so young, so it’s the right level of opposition.
“I think Tonga have a good team and the play some good rugby. They have Kristian Woolf who was a coach at Saints for a long time, so overall I think it’s a good test for England.”
The last week also saw every club in the three-tiers of professional rugby league receive their IMG grading, as the sport turn a new leaf to improve standards on and off the field.
There has been plenty of reaction, with several clubs now sweating over their Super League future, but Cassidy believes IMG’s introduction into the sport is necessary.
“Anything that stops teams going up and down so quickly, going bust and having to start from scratch, anything like that is good,” he added.
“If it’s good for the game and brings more money and spectators to the game then I’m all for it. It’s rare to see Rugby League stick with anything and moving forward.
“I think everyone from fans, players and past players are just hoping that IMG will impact the game in a positive way and that it is here to stay, because we change things too much, so let’s stick with this and make it work.”
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