Castleford match news

Subject: Castleford match news Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:08 pm

Quote :: KEVIN BROWN and Luke Robinson will take on the starting half-back roles for the Giants in Sunday’s pre-season clash at Castleford Tigers.

Head coach Nathan Brown has today confirmed Brown will start at stand-off and Robinson will be scrum half.

The fact the duo have been paired together for the Giants’ first senior warm-up game suggests they will fill the half-back spots for the Super League opener at Catalans on February 14.

Had Australian star Todd Carney’s work permit not been turned down, he would have been a first-choice half-back, with Brown earmarked at centre.

But Galpharm chief Brown is more than happy with the choice he has made.

“Luke and Kevin have been training as a six and seven for the past two months,” said the coach.

“They’ve also played half-back together in Super League before now and look comfortable. I’m looking forward to seeing how they do at Castleford.

“In fact, I’m looking forward to seeing how everyone performs on the day.

“I am aware we’ve still got a lot of work to do on the training field, but this game will give us more of an idea of how things are progressing.”

Brown’s initial intention is to send a 23-man first-team squad to The Jungle, with the names to be finalised later.

The only players ruled out at this stage are half-back Tom Hemingway, hooker Keal Carlile and full-back Josh Griffin, who are all recovering from shoulder surgery, and prop Chris Lawson, who is still out with a knee injury.

And there’s also a question mark over a return date for Jamahl Lolesi, who is still stuck in Australia waiting to receive a new visa after his initial two-year work permit expired late last year.

Examiner

It's the wrong attitude I know but as it's just a friendly there's a side of me hoping Kevin doesn't have the best of games. Hopefully Nathan will then see we'll need a top quality number 6 to take our team to the next level. I like Kevin but as a centre. I'm sure he's seen enough footage already though to show Nathan that Kevin can't fill Carney's boots week in week out, unless Nathan's been busy changing Kevin's style of play.

Am I making sense Laughing

Subject: Re: Castleford match news Tue Jan 13, 2009 3:19 pm

completely!!

(for a change!)

Newbie Number of posts : 19 Registration date : 2009-01-10

Much as i like Kev Brown.....hes a centre in my humble opinion, not a half back, we need a specialist in that position, there are some positions in RL you cant just "make do" with and thats one....how did we suffer last season not having a specialist Full Back, lets hope we dont make the same mistake this season at Stand Off !!!

Subject: Re: Castleford match news Tue Jan 13, 2009 6:46 pm

Talking to some of the players on facebook it should be a pretty strong side out. Brett Hodgson, Lawrence, Brown and Robinson so far that i know of plus Lunt and Patrick from the new kids