Resurgent Castleford setting the standards for rivals

The prodigious young back-row sought a move to East Yorkshire in an attempt to quench his thirst for silverware while believing, away from his unfashionable hometown club, he could become an international player in Black and White colours.

However, when he steps out against Castleford tomorrow night at the KC Stadium, all the talk will be about a new clutch of young Tigers who are proving a highlight of their finest start to a Super League season.

Surprise package Castleford, having lost just once so far, sit in second spot knowing they could draw level with leaders Warrington if they overcome their Yorkshire rivals.

Central to their cause have been confident teenagers such as Daryl Clark, Joe Arundel and Adam Milner, all proving Westerman’s departure, and that of England centre Michael Shenton to St Helens, is not as catastrophic as some predicted.

The 21-year-old, meanwhile, finds himself in a Hull side that has struggled for form down in 10th, their much-needed win at Harlequins on Sunday only their second of the season.

He did deliver his finest Hull performance yet in that contest, helping them stage a brilliant late fightback, and there is a growing belief the £100,000 capture may be ready to show his true value.

“Joe is gradually certainly finding his place in the team,” said coach Richard Agar.

“His performances have been getting better week-in, week-out and he showed last week some of the reasons why we did go out and buy him.

“Plenty of things were happening around him and it was his best display for us yet.

“Naturally the talk is going to be all about Joe ahead of Friday but we’ve already played Cas in a friendly and he’s not looking back.

“He made his decision and in the end it was one where all parties were fairly happy.

“It’s probably not been as easy for him joining our club as we’ve not got off to the best of starts and no doubt he’s looked over his shoulder and seen all his old team-mates doing really well.

“Joe is a Castleford lad, he’ll always have a place in his heart for Castleford Tigers and is really happy that they’re doing well.

“He still has a lot of friends there but we’re really happy we’ve got a good player on our hands – we know that – and we’re looking forward to this match.”

Agar admits his squad have renewed confidence after they finally earned some rewards in London for their recent efforts.

“Certainly the big improvement was turning line breaks into points,” he said.

“The week before (against Wakefield) we’d converted 12 breaks into six points. But at Quins, we finished up scoring seven tries and there was some pretty good ones in there too.

“Also, we were three scores behind with barely 20 minutes left on the clock.

“For a side not on the best of runs to still go out and maintain their performance and finish so strongly was excellent to see.”

They will be augmented by the return of Australian full-back Cameron Phelps tomorrow who missed the 40-30 triumph due to a slight hamstring strain.

Their opponents, meanwhile, are likely to be unchanged again meaning former captain Ryan Hudson – kept out of the squad by the wonderful form of teenage hookers Clark and Milner – is set to be frustrated once more and Richard Owen will have to wait a little longer for his return from a broken leg.

Given Castleford’s major departures over the winter, few believed they would be so competitive in 2011 but they have made everyone sit up and take note, winning plenty of admirers in the process.

“It is a bit of a surprise what they have done,” added Agar, who hails from nearby Featherstone.

“The fact they have lost both Shenny and Joe was probably difficult but, and not for the first time, they have shown their resilience.

“They have shown they have a good enough crop of youngsters who are playing with no fear while the two hookers in particular are really exciting for the British game.

“Danny Orr and Richard Mathers have added professionalism and steadiness, Rangi Chase is arguably the form player in Super League, their big guys are taking them forward and they have a real good balance.

“I’ve seen a lot of them and everyone is doing their job. As a coach you can’t ask for more.

“For us, we are looking for an 80-minute performance. We’ve shown up really good in a lot of areas this year but just not managed to put it all together in one game.

“That’s what we need to do against Castleford and I feel we’re capable.”

Agar insists rumours linking his veteran scrum-half Sean Long with a return to St Helens remain wide of the mark.

Saints are believed to have been interested in reuniting with the ex-Great Britain scrum-half, who left for Hull in 2009, as a replacement for rugby union bound Kyle Eastmond.