Former Castleford Tigers confirms “indefinite” status of new role with League One side

Former Castleford Tigers man Jake Webster has revealed he has an “indefinite” contract with Keighley Cougars after becoming head coach.

The former New Zealand international was a centre in Castleford Tigers’ run to their first-ever Super League Grand Final in 2017 before ending his career with spells at Bradford Bulls and Keighley Cougars.

Perhaps his most memorable moment with the Tigers was a four-try display against rivals Wakefield Trinity, which secured their maiden League Leaders’ Shield.

He also previously spent time with Hull KR, signing after 67 NRL games with Melbourne Storm and Gold Coast Titans.

Before becoming head coach for the Cougars, he was the club’s director of rugby, and for a while spent time playing alongside this role.

Former Castleford Tigers international has “indefinite” role with League One side

Explaining the situation, Webster told the Telegraph and Argus: “We spoke to a lot of coaches, and we were on the hunt to find a new one.

“Ryan and Kaue (O’Neill and Garcia, club co-owners) had their ideas and they asked me to merge my role, with a few reasons behind that.

“They talked to the players to get their views, but it wasn’t just that.

“They also want to make sure we’re sustainable long-term, to keep cohesion in the playing group, to make sure there’s not too much change.

“We’ve had a lot of change over the last two years, so to get some stability back will be good for the players and the club.”

Much of that change came during the 2024 season when head coach Matt Foster was dismissed after reportedly failing to sign players that had been advised, by then-Head of Rugby Webster.

At that point, Webster took the role on an interim basis with the situation still ‘indefinite’ he revealed.

“It wasn’t at the forefront of my mind to become head coach permanently and I had wanted to take some time away, but I really enjoyed the interim job in the second half of last season.

“And every time I’ve left the field, it’s always led me back, because that’s home for me.

“The contract’s indefinite really, it’s not forever, but it’s a step in the direction for where I want to take the next part of my career.”