CASTLEFORD Tigers players will get to enjoy some downtime this week, but the hard work is just beginning for director of rugby Chris Chester.
The Tigers’ director of rugby is set start interviewing candidates to replace Danny McGuire as head coach on Tuesday, with several NRL-based applicants among them.
Rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads exclusively revealed former Wigan Warriors halfback Blake Green and ex-Wakefield Trinity playet Jason Demetriou are among the leading contenders, and Chester is under no illusions about the magnitude of his task.
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“This is probably the biggest decision I’ll have to make as a director of rugby,” Chester said after overseeing Sunday’s 20-14 win at home to Warrington Wolves.
“I’ve just got to make sure it’s the right person and the right fit for this club.
“I’ll get home and the phone will start ringing at 10 o’clock.
“The time difference is a nightmare and I get in a lot of trouble at home, but it’s my job and I’ve got to get the right man for the job. I’m confident we will.”
Former Wakefield boss Chester was thrust back into frontline coaching barely two months after joining Cas as director of rugby.
He was placed in interim charge following the decision to part ways with rookie head coach McGuire on July 7, and is set to combine the two roles until the end of the 2025 Betfred Super League season.
“The applicants we’ve got are NRL-based and there’s one UK-based,” Chester said.
“The right thing for them to do is finish the season off with their clubs, that’s certainly the indication I’m getting from the NRL guys.
“We’ll take our time with it and hopefully be able to make an announcement in the next couple of weeks.”
Sunday’s win over Betfred Challenge Cup finalists Warrington saw the 10th-placed Tigers end a run of four consecutive losses.
Cas now head into a bye-week before returning to action against St Helens on Friday, August 1 and Chester is not getting carried away after the victory over the eighth-placed Wolves.
“I’ve said to the boys it’s really important we don’t fall in love with ourselves,” Chester said.
“We’ve had one win, at the end of the day we’re where we are and we’re still in 10th spot.
“The gap between us and Warrington has tightened a little bit, so that’ll be the key message.
“They’ll get a little bit of downtime and time off, but we’ve got to hit the ground running again next Monday.”