SAM Burgess knows where Castleford Tigers are likely to attack his Warrington Wolves side during their Round Three clash tomorrow night.
However, he is putting faith in his youthful right edge to develop and grow from the pressure they were put under last time out.
All four of the tries The Wire have conceded in Super League this season have come down the team’s right side, which has also endured personnel changes across the two games.
Indeed, three of the four positions were changed for the Round Two clash with Hull FC as George Williams and Arron Lindop both dropped out of the side while Ben Currie moved into the middle to play at loose forward.
The entirely homegrown unit of second rower Adam Holroyd, half-back Leon Hayes, centre Connor Wrench and winger Josh Thewlis were regularly attacked by the Black and Whites, with the diminutive Hayes making more successful tackles than any of his teammates during the game.
At 5ft 4ins tall, the 19-year-old is perhaps seen as a natural target for opponents defensively but Burgess believes he is standing up well without the ball.
Instead, he called upon the quartet to combine better as a unit in order to counteract being targeted.
“Leon’s actually a very competent defender. It was more a systematic breakdown on that edge but we’ve worked on that this week,” he said.
“Any good coach will look at where they can exploit opposition teams and that’s clearly where we got broken down.
“I like Leon’s chances of making tackles – I don’t think he actually missed any last week so it was all systematic.
“It’s not just Leon – the combined unit of back rower to wing has to be in unison, so it’s not his fault or anyone’s individually.
“It’s about that unit’s decision-making and connection and the minute you start pointing fingers about it, it’s the wrong place to be.
“They’re all accountable on that edge and have their own roles to play.
“A couple of them missed their assignment last week but we’re keeping it the same so it’s another chance to get better.”
Castleford make the trip across the Pennines still looking for their first win under new head coach Craig Lingard.
They were edged out by Salford Red Devils on Sunday having been beaten at home by defending champions Wigan Warriors in Round One, while they have also been hampered by injuries and suspensions to key players such as Paul McShane, Liam Watts and Danny Richardson – all three of whom will be unavailable for Friday night.
However, Burgess picked out several key men his side will have to keep quiet if they are to emerge victorious and continue their own development.
“I watched their game against Salford and I thought they were good. They were exciting at times,” he said.
“Joe Westerman’s a talented player who has been around for a long time, Sam Wood is a strong ball carrier in the centres, they offload the ball a lot and Luke Hooley at full-back is elusive.
“They’ve got a good side with some good competent middles. We’ll have to get our jobs done to come away with something.
“Our challenge is more about ourselves and getting our game right.
“I’d still say we’re not anywhere near where we’d like to be but I think we’re going in the right direction.
“We’ve got lots to work on and we’re still finding our way to what our team looks like.”
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