Danny McGuire's first week coaching Castleford 'pushes players to extremes'

Castleford Tigers head coach Danny McGuire has admitted that they have tried to push players "to extremes" during his first week of pre-season training this week.

Leeds Rhinos playing legend McGuire was confirmed as head coach on a three-year deal on October 25 and has just ended the schedule of his first pre-season week.

Speaking in a video on Castleford's official social media, he said: "We've worked the players hard, as expected in pre-season, but they've all been amazing to be honest with you. I've been really impressed. They've took on every challenge, stood up to every challenge. We have really tried to push them to extremes and they've handled it really well.

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"I've got to admit I'm enjoying being able to make decisions, I'm enjoying leading. I felt like as a player that was my role anyway so I'm fairly comfortable in telling people where they need to be and what they need to do. The players have been really responsive."

Despite being known for attacking potency as a player, McGuire said that the focus of Castleford's opening pre-season week was defence.

He explained: "I like my players to express themselves, I like my players to play with freedom and trust their ability and trust that they can pull off the plays. But that's got to be built on the back of the hard work and the effort and a bit more solid appreciation of defence. At times last year we were a little bit too easy to score against so we've got to understand that defence is more important than attack. The attack comes off the back of being gritty and being tough defensively.

"Our pre-season has been based so far on defensive elements of the game. Brett Delaney has come in and he is going to be heading up that and he has done a fantastic job already. He is going to bring a hell of a lot to the team. He is a no-nonsense coach. In my opinion he is the best defensive coach in the competition. You only have to look at the results of Hull KR over the last couple of years to see what Brett has brought there. Obviously he is one of my best pals as well so that trust and that loyalty that Brett showed when we played together, we have got that now as coaches.

"We've got Scott Murrell there as well who is a good friend and a really good young coach. We are all helping each other and pushing each other as well."

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