Painful memories will drive Tigers on at Jungle

It is less than three weeks since the sides last played at Wheldon Road in the final regular round of Super League and Warrington inflicted a shock 44-6 defeat on Daryl Powell’s side.

However, as much as that irked the Castleford head coach, the real bone of contention was a shoulder charge from Ben Westwood on Luke Gale that initially went unpunished but left his scrum-half in hospital.

Westwood, the England second-row, was eventually summoned by the RFL’s match review panel to appear before the disciplinary and was handed a two-game ban, incorporating Warrington’s shock Challenge Cup semi-final defeat against Hull KR and last Friday’s opening Super 8s game at Leeds Rhinos, both of which his club lost.

He returns tonight and faces Gale, who scored a try and six goals in Castleford’s Super 8s win over Hull FC last week, following a tackle that incensed Powell who heavily criticised Westwood in the post-match press conference.

Later, Warrington chief Tony Smith was similarly agitated, believing his opposite number’s comments had forced the match review panel and disciplinary’s hand, his player being “hung out to dry” for a tackle that he deemed was legitimate.

Smith added coaches “whinge” too often before the panel sits and continued “but that happens a lot when Castleford get beaten.”

The niggle could be just as stingy off the pitch as on it.

Castleford assistant coach Danny Orr faced the media ahead of tonight’s game which is already finely poised, the Tigers knowing they will move into fourth with victory, their opponents needing success to stay in the hunt for that crucial eventual cut-off point.

“I’m not really surprised (by Smith’s comments) – all coaches defend their players,” he said.

“But watching it back, it was not the best tackle, if I’m honest. Any neutral knows it wasn’t good, a swinging arm round his head, it was there to see on camera.

“Tony’s going to defend his player and I’d do exactly the same, I’m sure Powelly would, too.

“But Benny got a two-match ban, he’s done his time and he’s going to be back so we move on.

“I’m sure he will want to try and inspire his team as they were on the wrong end of the result last week. He’s a tough player and a good player. He gives them a lift.”

Fair enough. But what of Smith’s inference that Castleford complain when they lose?

“It’s Tony’s opinion; he’s entitled to say what he wants,” said Orr, about the Australian who replaced Powell as Leeds head coach at the end of 2003.

“I don’t think we complain. I think we’d complain when our half-back gets taken out of the game, but we’re entitled to have our say as well.

“We got beaten by Warrington the other week and they totally outplayed us. They were too good for us on the day and deserved it.

“We could say the same when we played them at Warrington. I wouldn’t say we were too good for them, but we just edged them (22-14) and got our win over there.

“It’s one-one and all to play for.”

On Gale’s part, the influential 27-year-old maintained tonight is nothing about “revenge” as the only motivation they need is points towards fourth and bidding for a maiden Grand Final.

There is a new face in the Wolves ranks, however, in high-profile half-back Chris Sandow, who showed glimpses of his class on debut against Leeds after his switch from the NRL.

Orr, a former Great Britain half-back, admitted: “You’ve got to respect him – he’s quick, looks strong, has a great left-foot step and a kicking game as well.

“He looks a little bit off the cuff and we’ll have to keep an eye out for 40-20 opportunities he likes to take. He’s also got a chip-and-chase so he’s a busy sort of half-back. We have just got to be on our guard.”