Mahe Fonua is excited to be linking up with Lee Radford again

Castleford Tigers new signing played under Lee Radford at Hull FC for two years in 2016 and 2017. The Black and Whites won back to back Challenge Cup trophies in that time, with Mahe Fonua scoring under the Wembley arch on both occasions.

The Tigers’ new recruit admitted it was an easy decision to link up with his old coach.

“It’s exciting. Obviously, it was a no brainer to come over to Cas with Radford in charge. I pretty much put pen to paper straight away. I am really looking forward to the 2022 season for both me and Radford being in new colours.”

With Daryl Powell leaving the club after eight and a half seasons in charge, it is a new era at the Jungle.

“Radford had a couple of years away from the game and he’s been able to see the game from a different perspective. He’s got a fresher mindset after spending two years away, and I think that has definitely helped.

“He’s taken a lot more things on board with regards to sports science and our physios and I think it’s really showing out there. We’ve got near enough every player bar one or two out with long term injuries on the pitch training. Our training regime and what is going on with the back-room staff is really working.”

The 29-year-old has played in both Super League and the NRL with Melbourne Storm and the Wests Tigers, but this pre-season with the Castleford Tigers has been his best yet.

“It’s been very good. One of my more enjoyable pre-seasons. I’ve had a few under my belt and I think this has been my best one. I’ve really enjoyed it at a new club who have really looked after me. My body is in a really good state leading into the season.”

Castleford have faced lower league opposition in York City Knights and Doncaster in recent weeks with the Tigers coming away with comfortable victories in both. After a long pre-season, Fonua is happy to be back out on the field.

“It’s been good. You train hard during pre-season and try and build up combinations and get your plays right. To go out and put it into practice on the field against some genuine opposition is good. The two teams we played weren’t Super League sides but they were teams of 13 with quality players and we managed to come out on top and get what we wanted.”

The Mend-A-Hose-Jungle has always been a very daunting place to go for visiting teams. Fonua is happy he will have the Tigers fans on his side this season, starting against Salford Red Devils in Round One.

“I am most definitely looking forward to having the fans behind me. I have been on the end of some Castleford ‘compliments’ when playing there for Hull, but I’m looking forward to running out there in the Castleford jersey with the fans behind me.”

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