Jamie Jones-Buchanan suggests Super League side aren’t fit enough
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com - 18/04/2022 - Rugby League - Betfred Super League Round 9 - Castleford Tigers v Leeds Rhinos - the Mend A Hose Jungle, Castleford, England - Leeds's coach Jamie Jones-Buchanan after his side's loss to Castleford.
Earlier this season, Jamie Jones-Buchanan questioned the age and subsequently the fitness of the Castleford Tigers squad.
He has done so again questioning if the the Tigers are physically good enough after their Challenge Cup exit at the hands of Hull FC.
Buchanan highlighted Mahe Fonua’s early intercept saying a winger should be quick enough to score there.
“I have questioned their physical abilities before this season and I think we saw that in the first half,” he said on BBC.
“You see here Mahe Fonua makes the intercept and that is the first minute of the game.
“You would think he would have the pace to go at that moment in the game. He should be going for the corner.”
He also questioned their skill levels:
“Skill levels, strategy and fitness levels, I think they were beaten on all three fronts.
“You have to nail the basics. I know Andy Last spoke about ruck speed but you have to wind it back to the basic skills.
“The first 20 or 30 minutes of their first session should be basic skills and getting that muscle memory and getting in tandem because if you get the opportunities but you can’t execute, you are never going to score.
“It’s not a million miles away.”