JSL on 100 Cas games

This article is taken from July 2021's edition ROAR, the official Castleford Tigers magazine, which is available in our retail stores for £2!

Watch Castleford versus Huddersfield & Wakefield by getting your tickets at castlefordtigers.com/tickets.

June’s derby victory over Wakefield was extra special for Castleford Tigers forward Jesse Sene-Lefao, who made his 100th appearance for the Fords at the Mobile Rocket Stadium.

The 31-year-old arrived in Yorkshire back in 2017 after a spell with the Cronulla Sharks and has played a crucial role in Daryl Powell’s side ever since that debut try against Leigh.

After the 12-18 victory over Trinity, Sene-Lefao spoke to ROAR and explained just how proud he was to run out in Cas colours for the one-hundredth time.

“It is pretty special to be honest! I didn’t really know that it was going to be my 100th until late yesterday. Thinking back to where it all started and to do it against Wakefield, it is really special to me.

“It is a massive achievement, and I am really proud of it.

“It is such a special club and to have my name up there with one hundred appearances for Cas, I really don’t take it lightly. It really means a lot to me, and it is cool to be able to do it with one club.

“I came to the club five years ago and now I’ve just made 100 appearances for them, so it is very special to me and my family.”

It was a big move in 2017 for the second-row to come to England after spending his whole career out in Australia.

Sene-Lefao and his family have embraced life in the local community and the Tigers star claimed that the love he has received will always stay with him.

“I came over here five years ago with a few goals and one of them was to have an impact. The impact the club has had on myself as well as the people in the community, is a life story that I can tell my kids.

“I can’t wait to tell my parents and family in Australia because they haven’t been here yet to see it all. These stories will last forever because I have got kids now so to be able to share it with them is special.

“With this club, as much as I have reached out, they have reached in to me.”

The Samoa international also put forward that reaching a hundred caps is also a big achievement for his family, who have supported him throughout his time at the club.

“It means a lot to them because they have to sacrifice a lot of their time for me. The late nights because they come to my games, and they followed me when I came to the other side of the world.

“They’ve had a massive part to play in me being successful so all credit to my wife who makes sure I’m preparing well and eating right. She makes it less stressful on game day by taking the kids and stuff like that, so it is a full team effort.

“This is a big achievement for her too.”

Jesse finished off with a message for the loyal Fords fans who have always been right behind him during his spell at the club.

“Thank you for your support so far, you are awesome. Thank you to all of you who have reached out when I have been down and when I’ve been up. A hundred games means a lot and it’s one hundred for you as well and I hope there is a hundred more to come.”

Watch Castleford versus Huddersfield & Wakefield by getting your tickets at castlefordtigers.com/tickets.