AN eight-word text message from former Super League head coach Richard Agar proved prescient for Ryan Carr as Castleford Tigers put their round-five mauling firmly to bed.
The Tigers were pummelled 72-6 away to Warrington Wolves last Saturday, but just five days later were kicking off Super League’s 30th anniversary celebrations with a 40-28 win over Bradford Bulls at OneBore Stadium.
Trying to pick his players up after such a lopsided loss was something new for first-year Cas head coach Carr, but some words of wisdom from ex-Hull FC, Wakefield Trinity and Leeds Rhinos boss Agar – now an assistant with New Zealand Warriors – was a big boost for the 37-year-old.
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“I had a good mate of mine, Richy Agar, send me a good text through the week saying ‘the comeback is always greater than the setback’ – and he couldn’t have been more true,” Carr told Sky Sports.
“We needed a response after last week and one game doesn’t define you, it’s what you do after that. I’m really proud of the team.
“It’s something I’ve never been faced with where you have to try to manage a group of players out of that.
“This is a group of people who care a lot about this club and this team, and people don’t mean to play poorly – you don’t go out there with that attitude, it just happens sometimes and we’ll take a huge learning from it.”
Jason Qareqare led the way for the Tigers with a first hat-trick of his professional career, with Darnell McIntosh adding two tries.
George Lawler and Tom Weaver, who also landed six goals, crossed the whitewash too as Cas recovered from conceding early to Esan Marsters’ score.
Luke Hooley, who matched scrumhalf Weaver’s goal-kicking efforts, and Joe Mellor went over as well, while centre Marsters wrapped up the night’s try-scoring in the dying minutes.
Winger Qareqare hailed the response from the Tigers, who are aiming for what have proven to be elusive back-to-back wins in recent seasons when they host Wakefield Trinity in Super League’s Rivals Round on Easter Sunday.
“We were a bit down that week, but Carry really put us together and made sure as a team, within the four walls, we were going to turn out and put in a performance,” Qareqare told Sky Sports.
“For us, it’s just consistency. The last time we had back-to-back wins was over two years ago, so [we’re] building week on week, hopefully.”
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