Castleford Tigers boss early issues Joe Stimson verdict and makes Christian Wade comment

Coach Danny McGuire has revealed the comment which convinced him Australian signing Joe Stimson is the right man for Castleford Tigers.

McGuire confirmed the 29-year-old second-rower will make his debut against Wigan Warriors at the Jungle on Saturday.

Stimson – an NRL Grand Finalist with Melbourne Storm who has also played for Canterbury Bulldogs and Gold Coast Titans – has signed a contract until the end of next season.

“It came about pretty quick,” McGuire said at his weekly preview press conference today (Friday).

“We had a couple of options and he was the one who [said] ‘I’ll get on the plane in the next hour if you need me’.

“That, to me, shows commitment and the desire to take the opportunity so I am really excited to see him run out for us and show the Tigers fans what he can do.”

Stimson arrived in England at the start of the week and has already made an impact, according to his coach.

McGuire added: “He has been really good, he has thrown himself straight into everything. He is a really good kid, keen to come over and make an impression.

“He has settled into the group amazingly well and he will get an opportunity to show that tomorrow night.

“He is very spirited, a worker and a smart player, who has been in some very good environments.

“I am not going to put too much pressure on him, but I think his own expectations are he will commit to the team, work hard and do his best for his mates.

“He is one of those robust, no-nonsense players and he will add to us in the middle of the park.”

Castleford Tigers boss on Wigan Warriors’ Christian Wade

Wigan could also have a debutant on show with former England rugby union winger Christian Wade named in their 21 for the first time since switching codes.

His first game of rugby league was against Tigers’ reserves earlier this month, when McGuire was among the spectators.

Asked if he expects Wade to play tomorrow, McGuire admitted: “I am not sure. I watched him play against our reserves a few weeks ago and I think he is probably still a bit off playing first team at the minute.

“But he is in a great environment and I am sure they’ll get him up to speed. If he plays, he has got speed and power and he’s somebody we are going to have to watch carefully.

“On the other side of that, he is new to the game so he is potentially somebody we could look to exploit.”

McGuire added: “I think it’s great a name and someone like that is in our game. Wigan are smart with their marketing and the way they go about things and it’ll be interesting to see if his career is successful in rugby league. I wish him all the best with it, apart from tomorrow.”

Both teams are on the back of a painful defeat, Castleford Tigers having been crushed 48-0 at home by Hull KR last week and Wigan losing 16-10 at Wakefield Trinity.

“Wigan are one of the best teams in the competition, but probably not playing their best at the moment so it is a good chance for us to attack them and compete in the game,” McGuire said.

“We need to show some fight and some character. I expect a response from them, but also I am expecting a response from ourselves. It’s two teams that are hurting. For me, it’s about us, looking after our game and making sure we are in a position to play well.”

Young full-back Fletcher Rooney has been named in Tigers’ squad for the first time since suffering a thigh muscle injury in June, but McGuire said he’s likely to play a reserve game before making his Super League return.