Willie Poaching and his team make the short journey to the Mend-A-Hose Jungle to take on Lee Radford’s Castleford side

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The West Yorkshire derby is upon us and it’s a massive game for both teams at either end of the table. A win for Castleford will put them just one point behind 4th place and Wakefield could get off the bottom of the table with a win against their arch-rivals.

This fixture if you’re a Wakefield supporter is one that you have dreaded for many seasons now. Castleford Tigers have won their last 17 games Vs Trinity and could make it 18 if they get a win on Friday which will push Lee Radford’s men for the top four finish at the end of the season.

The Wakefield side is desperate for a win to get off the bottom of the league and there is no better place to do it than at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle in front of a packed crowd. A win for Willie Poaching’s men could lead to an immense amount of confidence for the remaining couple of games and for that charge to stay in Super League.

Last time out for Castleford, they were victorious in West Hull where they beat Hull FC by 18-46 with Derrell Olphers crossing over to score four times in the game with Faraimo getting two tries as well.

As for Wakefield, they narrowly lost in heartbreaking fashion against St Helens, losing by a Jack Welbsy drop goal despite being 12-0 to the good at the interval.

Back in the reverse fixture back on Easter Thursday, Castleford thrashed the Wakefield side that was so high in confidence having won multiple games upon this game but couldn’t quite get going. The Tigers were too much for Wakefield as they cruised to victory by 34-4 with tries coming from Mahe Fonua, Paul McShane, Greg Eden, and Kenny Edwards crossing for two tries.

In the last five games these two sides have played each other, Castleford has scored up 143 points and only conceded 75 points to the Wakefield side.

Wakefield Trinity needs to win this game to keep their Super League title alive. A win against their neighbours may well be a wake-up call for the club and with Toulouse picking up some form, it would make a statement.

Players to Watch:

Castleford of late have been a spectacular team to watch with their fast, off-the-cuff Rugby League. But a player I think has been the best signing of the season so far is,  Joe Westerman.

Westerman returned to his hometown club this season after leaving the club back in 2010. After many final appearances at different clubs, he comes back a better player and more focussed on what is ahead.

The Loose-Forward has played 20 games so far this season with him running over 2043 meters and making 701 tackles in the middle of the pack for the Tigers.

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For Wakefield, you can’t look any further than Mason Lino. Joining from Newcastle Knights last season, Lino has been the main player that has kept Wakefield in Super League with his excellent Rugby League vision and talent.

The 28-year-old from Samoa has played up to 16 games so far this season converting 18 goals and making over 1028 meters for his side.

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Team News:

Castleford Tigers Team News:

Lee Radford will be without Gareth O’Brien and Alex Mellor following concussion protocols due to head knocks that the two picked up at the MKM Stadium. Sam Hall also steps out of the squad that was declared last week. Jake Mamo also had his ban successfully overturned on Tuesday evening with the club deciding to appeal it.

Castleford Tigers 21-man squad:

Derrell Olpherts, Jake Mamo, Bureta Faraimo, Danny Richardson, Liam Watts, Paul McShane, George Lawler, Kenny Edwards, Adam Milner,  Joe Westerman, George Griffin, Mahe Fonua, Alex Sutcliffe, Daniel Smith, Greg Eden, Suaia Matagi, Brad Martin, Cain Robb, Jason QareQare, Kieran Hudson.

Wakefield Trinity Team News:

Wakefield is missing their whole initial back line with Max Jowitt, Tom Johnstone, Bill Tupou, and Reece Lyne all sidelined with injuries and Tom Lineham being shipped out on loan to Featherstone Rovers. The club has brought in two stars from Hull FC in Josh Bowden and Jamie Shaul. The club also picked up Jorge Taufua from the Manly Sea Eagles who will miss out on Friday with injury. Kelepi Tanginoa also sits out with a one-match ban.

Wakefield Trinity 21-man squad:

Jacob Miller, Mason Lino, Eddie Battye, Liam Hood, Tinirau Arona, Matty Ashurst, Jordy Crowther, Jai Whitbread, James Batchelor, Lee Gaskell, Lee Kershaw, Jack Croft, Brad Walker, Yusef Aydin, Lewis Murphy, Issac Shaw, Corey Hall, Rob Butler, David Fifita, Josh Bowden, Jamie Shaul.

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