Krystian Mapapalangi could be back but Castleford Tigers likely to be down on troops for Leeds Rhinos test
Castleford Tigers were left counting the cost of another bruising encounter when they picked up more injuries from their latest Super League game to leave them even more depleted for another tough test on Sunday.
Already without four players from the previous week’s loss to Wakefield Trinity at Magic Weekend, they lost star player Krystian Mapapalangi in the warm-up then lost Jordan Lane to injury during the game at Leigh and two more to head knocks.
Mapapalangi has a chance of making the line-up for the next game against Leeds Rhinos at the OneBore Stadium this Sunday and prop Tyler Dupree should return after a failed HIA saw him sidelined last week.
But Cas are likely to be down to bare bones elsewhere with recent head injury victims Brock Greacen and George Hirst likely to be out for an extended period after two HIAs inside a month.
Head coach Ryan Carr was pleased, however. with the way his players coped with adversity at Leigh.
"We had another couple of head knocks and Maps got pulled out in the warm-up,” he explained. "We lost Laney to a hip flexor injury so we had to sort out of reshuffle that whole right edge.
"Louie got 10 in the bin, but we just kept fighting, it was really good.
"Krystian just had a dead leg from last week and the week before too and I didn’t want him to go across that white line if he wasn’t quite fully there. He’ll benefit from the eight-day turnaround now.”
Carr described Sam Hall’s display as “unreal” and was pleased with several players who came into his team at Leigh.
"A few guys got an opportunity and they did really well with it.
"We lost five from last week so I think we did well, all things considering.
“I had to deliver some bad news to Sam a couple of weeks ago that he wouldn’t be in the team – and it wasn’t off the back of a poor performance. And all he’s done is just do everything he can to help the team and that’s the sort of guy you love having around.
"So for him to get the reward for that selflessness I’m really pleased for him.”
Leaders Leeds are next up and Carr is looking forward to the challenge.
He added: “It’ll be a good atmosphere and if we can get the same level of effort and energy that’s all I ask of a playing group.
"It’ll be pumping on Sunday so I’m really looking forward to it and seeing the boys throw themselves into it again.”