Warrington Wolves are focused on delivering a strong performance rather than fixating on their position in the play-off race as they prepare for a crucial match against Castleford Tigers on Saturday at the OneBore Stadium. Warrington currently sits just two points ahead of St Helens, who lie outside the top six, with the Saints also scheduled to play York Knights later today.
Warrington has experienced a challenging July, winning only two of their last six matches. However, they come into this fixture buoyed by a commanding 72-6 win over Castleford in their earlier meeting this season. Despite that dominant result, Warrington coach Sam Burgess anticipates a much tougher contest. Burgess emphasized respect for Castleford and highlighted the competitive edge of Tigers coach Ryan Carr, noting that the team must be prepared for a demanding encounter against a side capable of beating strong opponents such as Leeds and Wigan.
“We’re chasing a performance,” Burgess said. “We’re going there expecting a tough battle. Hopefully, we get our game in order, put in a good display, and start moving forward.” He added that attitude has not been a concern for the team and expressed confidence that Warrington would continue to demonstrate the commitment expected of them.
Warrington will receive a boost with the return of full-back Cai Taylor-Wray, who has been sidelined for three months following an injury sustained against Wigan in April. His availability may prove vital as the Wolves seek to maintain their play-off positioning.
Castleford head coach Ryan Carr, addressing the previous heavy defeat to Warrington where his team conceded 12 tries, stated that the Tigers have moved on from that defeat and are focused on the upcoming challenge at home. Carr rejected any notion that revenge was a motivating factor and instead stressed the importance of consistency and performance.
“We can’t look back because if we do that, we’re going to keep finding excuses,” Carr said. “The next opportunity is Saturday night here at home against another good footy team. We just need to make sure we play well.” He noted that Castleford managed solid periods in recent matches but must sustain that level throughout entire games and over consecutive weeks.
The upcoming clash is expected to be a pivotal moment for both teams as they aim to solidify their standing ahead of the final stages of the season. Warrington is seeking to build momentum from their recent performance, while Castleford looks to demonstrate resilience and improve consistency on home ground.