Friday Interview - Terry Matterson: Matterson targets Leeds double as Castleford chase play-off spot

THERE IS a framed photo in Terry Matterson's under-stated office of Castleford's 2006 squad, the first under the Australian's command.

The only image alongside it is one entitled Perpignan 2010, showing the Tigers coach addressing his current players while on a training camp in the south of France.

It was taken just minutes before Matterson famously lost a finger after snagging his wedding ring on a wire fence – visible in the background, its imminent threat posing no danger to the unknowing eye – while retrieving a rugby ball.

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He does not need the picture to remind him of that fateful January day, admitting he often thinks about how events unfolded and laughs when realising the club was only there because of his friendship with Catalans coach Kevin Walters.

"If he'd decided to bugger off a year earlier I'd still have that finger," smiles Matterson, referring to his former Brisbane Broncos' team-mate's planned departure back to Australia at the end of the season. "There's so many things like that you can think about."

But all of that is in the past and, with Challenge Cup finalists Leeds Rhinos at The Jungle this evening, Matterson has more pressing matters.

He accepts being unsure about whether the Super League champions securing their Wembley passage last weekend will see them arrive buoyant and hungry to express themselves once more, or jaded by the physical and mental exertions spent in an epic semi-final against St Helens, potentially off-guard and vulnerable.

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"It remains to be seen," said Matterson, wary that Leeds need to win to keep alive their hunt for fourth place.

"They had been patchy before last week and this could kick-start them or they may have an eye on Wembley but I want to beat them while they're at their best."

Castleford are in more urgent need for a success after Crusaders' win at Harlequins a week ago nudged the resting Tigers out of the top eight and put the Welsh club in the crucial spot. With just three games remaining, they need to swiftly respond but have faith in their ability and garner great confidence from their opening night win over Leeds at Headingley in February.

"We actually looked at a bit of video from that," admitted Matterson. "It does seem like an eternity ago but what we can take out of it is that we can beat them.

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"That's important to have that belief because we didn't do that last year. We took Leeds almighty close down here but they beat us in the last five seconds."

A cruel penalty conceded by Michael Shenton cost Castleford in a thrilling contest and they have suffered similar fates in their last two Super League outings, squandering winning positions late on to fall at Crusaders and Hull KR.

They had won five from their previous six fixtures to transform their campaign but Matterson – whose side can earn their first Super League double over their derby rivals this evening – is not too perturbed by the recent returns.

"If you keep being in the game until the last five minutes you are going to win your fair share," he insisted. "We've looked at our finishing and composure but we are playing well.

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"We've lost some we should have won but, because of the confidence in the side, we are in every game and giving ourselves a chance."

Matterson, whose side are bidding for a fifth straight win, believes Leeds will gift Castleford some opportunities as well because of the style in which they play.

"They always give you a chance," added the 43-year-old State of Origin veteran.

"Like Warrington, they can put 50 points on you but they don't squeeze you out of the game with the wrestle and they play the game in the right manner.

"I enjoy watching them and coaching against them.

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"They are very expansive like us but they do give you a chance. You have to take that."

Castleford host bottom-placed Harlequins in a week's time before finishing off at St Helens, while Crusaders – two points ahead but with a vastly inferior points difference – visit Hull FC this evening, and host Saints and Hull KR, a marginally tougher run-in.

Matterson accepts his side may have to win all three of their games to secure a top-eight spot for a second year running but said: "I think there'll be a clearer picture by about 10pm on Friday night.

"If we win and they lose, we're probably in the box seat but it's exciting and great for the league.

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"Ten weeks ago no one would have given us a chance of making the top eight. We're in there with a shout now and that's pleasing."

Meanwhile, it was reported last month that Matterson intended heading home when his contract expires at the end of next season but he insists that is not concrete.

"That was taken a bit out of context," he said. "It maybe is time to go home, I'm not too sure, and the club may look to go in another direction as I'll have been here six years then. But nothing's definite."

So, there could, after all, be another Tigers squad picture donning his office in 2012.

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Where his office will be remains to be seen, the West Yorkshire club revealing new stadium plans to fans before tonight's match, insisting they are on course to relocate to Glasshoughton by the start of that campaign.