Trueman on strong season start

Cas’ number six concedes that Hull KR were much the better side for the opening periods of the third-round tie in the Challenge Cup, which saw the Tigers trail 22-6.

“The main problem was at the start of the game and we just started poorly. Hull KR was always going to come out strong at home. We took some soft options, they were rolling us down the middle, scored some easy tries, and we weren’t good in that first 40.

“I think at half time Powelly [Daryl Powell] said it was probably one of the worst halves of rugby he’s seen in a while. He wasn’t far wrong, we were way off where we were meant to be if we want to compete for trophies."

However, at the end of the day, a win is a win and with Daryl Powell’s side into the quarter-finals of the knockout competition, a tie with Salford Red Devils awaits. Trueman’s ambitions for the competition go much further than that, with hopes of representing his team at Wembley on 17th July in the final.

“Getting to and winning the final is the plan, obviously there’s a bit of a shorter route to it this year, but we’ve got to get the performances right first.”

Partnering Jake in the halves was Danny Richardson for the second time this season, but their work together is already paying dividends in attack as they look to continue the strong showings which helped fuel Cas’ electric start to the 2020 season.

“Being able to partner with Danny [Richardson] again in the halves felt good, it felt crisp, the patterns of play and that, especially when we didn’t have much time with the ball. I think when we got close, we looked good.

“We scored 32 points in those first 80 minutes, so something must have been going right in attack. By the end, everyone was just so fatigued, and I think it’s certainly the longest game I’ve ever been a part of!”

The stand off’s strong start to the season meant there more than a few murmurs when he was an omission from Shaun Wane’s upcoming England training squad. Trueman himself though is focusing on his Club performances this early in the year and looking to sustain that form into the Autumn when representative honours beckon.

“I didn’t really look too much into it with the England squad, I didn’t even know till someone said to me, I’m not too fussed with it right now. Obviously, when the World Cup rolls around, I’d love to be in it, but that’s a way off so I’ve just got to get my performances right and then maybe Shaun will pick me.

“It’s been a strong start from myself this year, but I felt this way last year in those first seven games that I was playing my best rugby and then after lockdown hurt my back which was a bit of a stumbling block, but since then through pre-season and these first few games I’m feeling good.