Castleford Tigers coach Daryl Powell believes Wigan counterpart Shaun Wane was “disrespectful” with his comments in the aftermath of the previous meeting between the two sides.
Wane said after Wigan’s win at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle earlier this year that his side were playing at “four or five out of ten” – a comment which has irked Powell and prompted a passionate response from the Castleford coach ahead of Saturday’s Challenge Cup quarter-final between the two sides.
“I heard Shaun Wane say, when Wigan fortuitously beat us here, they were four out of 10,” he said in his pre-match press conference.
“I thought that was a bit disrespectful myself. I think if we bring our A-game on Saturday, I‘m not really interested in what Wigan bring.”
Powell also believes that despite Wane’s comments, his side face a tough ask to go to Wigan and repeat their heroics of two years ago when they dumped the Warriors out in the last eight.
“It’s a tough challenge, no doubt,” Powell added.
“They are a really physical side, well-organised, disciplined, kick well and put you under pressure so you know you have to be all of the above and a little bit more to beat them.”
