Castleford Tigers are hoping to agree a new long-term contract with Australian back Krystian Mapapalangi.
The former Newcastle Knights and Wests Tigers man has been one of Super League’s most in-form backs during the opening two months of the campaign, despite playing in a team who are second from bottom on the table going into round seven.
Mapapalangi, 23, joined Castleford in January from Wests Tigers on a two-year deal, having scored five tries in 15 games for New South Wales Cup feeder side Western Suburbs Magpies in 2025.
Despite having six NRL appearances to his name from his time at Newcastle, Mapapalangi is still a relative rookie at the top level and Tigers coach Carr reckons he will “only get better”.
Speaking at his weekly preview press conference today (Thursday) ahead of Sunday’s home derby against Wakefield Trinity, Carr said: “We knew what we were buying, that’s why we went after him. He is a quality player and a quality person.
“We love having him here; he is awesome to work with day-in and day-out, the boys love playing with him and love being around him and his company, even off the field.
“He is just a good kid and he is going from strength to strength. He is only going to continue to get better.”
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Carr stressed: “He is someone we certainly want to build our club around and make sure we lock down for the future.
“We are happy he is with us, he is happy here and we just want to make sure we continue to have him in a Cas jersey year on year.”
Carr confirmed he has “had a few chats” with Mapapalangi, but insisted: “It is not my job to put any pressure on him.
“I just want him to focus on this weekend’s game, which is a massive game for us, but that sort of stuff usually sorts itself out in time.”
