Castleford Tigers interim coach Chris Chester has called out his players for failing to stand up ‘when the chips are down’, whilst providing some key injury news.
The Tigers were blown away in the first half by Saints and despite showing some resilience in the second forty, they still slipped to a 40-0 defeat.
Having beaten Warrington Wolves ahead of the week off, there would have been an air of positivity and confidence about Castleford but Chris Chester outlined that he knew from the first set that his side weren’t up for it.
He ensured to pay credit to St Helens, who suffocated Castleford throughout the first-half, but Chester bemoaned his own side’s lack of connection.
Speaking post-match to BBC Radio Leeds, he said: “We just couldn’t match them physically. They were too fast and too strong through that middle third of the field.
“We lacked any real connectivity defensively and that’s the frustrating thing. We got a bit of grit in the second half and kept them scoreless for 30 minutes.”
Castleford Tigers youngsters praised in defeat
There was a marked improvement in that second half with one of the two tries scored being Owen Dagnall’s exceptional breakaway score, and Chester ensured to praise some of the young talents that he had put faith in.
“I thought young Cain Robb was outstanding for us when he came on,” the interim coach argued.
“Sam Hall had a dig and I’m really proud of Andy’s (Djeukessi) debut as well. It was always going to be a tough dig for Andy.”
Speaking more on outside back Djeukessi, Chester added: “I thought Andy carried the ball really really strong for us. There’s lots of parts of his game that we need to work with him on and we will but he’s certainly one for the future.
“We’re going to use these next eight or nine weeks to give some more opportunities to some young kids. I’m just really pleased with him.”
As for his late try-saving tackle on Kyle Feldt, Chester added: “It just shows that he cares and I thought he fronted up really really well. It’s a massive step up from what he’s done but I’m pleased he got through unscathed. We’ll work with him, look after him and make sure it’s a big big year for him in 2026.”
‘Didn’t have enough guys standing up’
Whilst there were some standouts and a marked improvement in the second-half, it didn’t eradicate the disappointment at the lack of cohesion his side showed when under the pump.
“I think the thing that disappoints me most is when the chips were down and things were going tough, we didn’t have enough guys standing up today,” claimed Chester.
“You could see in the second half that they care but that’s the frustrating thing with this club, we’re up one week and down the other. We lack any real consistency and that’s got to change, and I know it will change.”
Another worry for Castleford was the fact they lost Zac Cini to an eye injury with the centre rushed off the field and sent to hospital post-match.
“He looked like Rocky Balboa when he came off. He’s got a big cut that I think needs stitching and I don’t know whether he was knocked out but he’s obviously had a big collision there.
“All his eye has swollen up and he’s going to hospital as we speak but it didn’t look great.”
