THE NUMBERS GAME: VS CASTLEFORD

All the stats and numbers you need to know ahead of our fixture with Castleford this week

By Jack Robinson

All the key stats that you need to know ahead of our clash against West Yorkshire rivals, Castleford Tigers, on Sunday afternoon.

Sunday is another big game in our season, as we face local rivals, Castleford, at the John Smith’s Stadium. We sit in 10^th place, still two points above bottom placed London Broncos, whilst the Tigers sit in 6^th place, as they bid to make the end of season playoffs.

Yorkshire prop leads the pack

Liam Watts is the Tigers’ star man, and he will be hoping his form this season will result in an England call-up in the Autumn. Watts has featured in 24 of the Tigers’ 25 Betfred Super League games so far in 2019, he has scored four tries, assisting a further two.

.@WATTSY7890 vs Huddersfield Giants 😳

🏉 1 Try
💪 2 Tackle Busts
👊 43 Tackles
💨 194 Metres pic.twitter.com/vBHb3t3fPH

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) June 9, 2019

The Yorkshireman leads the way in offloads in 2019 in the competition, with 56, something that we will have to stop on Sunday. The former Hull FC forward has made 2857 metres this season, an average carry of 7.07 metres per carry.

It’s not just in attack that Watts has great numbers in this season. Watts has made 851 tackles so far this season, as well as 169 marker tackles.

Tackling could be key in a close game

With the two sides meeting twice already before this game, Giants winning the first 20-18 before losing the second 27-26 after golden point, a huge defensive game could be key for both sides on Sunday.

Most tackles made by Castleford Tigers v London Broncos (10.08.19)

Paul McShane – 51

Daniel Smith – 37

Mike McMeekan – 30

Grant Millington – 30

Oliver Holmes – 26

Hometown hero continues to impress

Huddersfield born, Jermaine McGillvary, continues to be one of our most important players, more than a decade since he made his debut for us. The winger has played in 20 of our 25 Betfred Super League matches so far this season, scoring 15 tries, whilst assisting five more.

.@J_mcGillvary makes his 300th Career Appearance tonight! 🔥

From working in warehouses and building sites, to playing Super League for @Giantsrl and representing @England_RL 👊

Legend 🏉 pic.twitter.com/rZzIdmmQps

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 2, 2019

McGillvary has made 2698 metres so far for us in 2019, with an average carry of 8.43 metres. The England international has also made 98 tackle busts so far in this year. Jerry is currently the fifth highest clean breaker in the competition too, with 28. He sits just four behind leader, Josh Charnley.

Tight ties between the sides prove big defensive effort needed

Similarly to the Tigers, the Giants made a lot of tackles in our game at Salford on Sunday. With the other two games between the sides this season being so close, we need to keep their points to a minimum.

Most tackles made by the Giants v Salford (11.08.19)

Ukuma Ta’ai – 40

Michael Lawrence – 37

Kruise Leeming – 35

Adam O’Brien – 30

Suaia Matagi – 29