Sam Hall extends for 2022

The 19-year-old prop is a proud product of the Fords’ Academy and went on to make his First Team debut in a victory over Wigan Warriors back in 2020.

Hall ran out three times for the Tigers this year alongside his progression in the Academy team, where he produced a number of standout performances in what was a terrific season for our Under 19’s – winning 11 out of 14 matches.

Speaking to castlefordtigers.com after extending his stay at The Mend-A-Hose Jungle, the prop explained that he is ecstatic to be representing the Fords again next year.

“I am over the moon, it is just amazing! I just enjoy playing rugby and to get to do another year playing here and developing with a new coach coming in with new ideas, I’m just really looking forward to it.

“It’s always been a Cas/Leeds split in my house because my brother was in the system with Leeds and then for Cas. To play for the local team is really good and I’m just looking forward to playing more for them.”

Making the step up from academy rugby to the First Team is a transition that Hall has taken in his stride, having to stand up against veterans of the game like Sam Kasiano in one of his most recent senior appearances.

Hall put forward that coming up against experienced players is a great way to learn more about the game as well as pointing out just how crucial his more senior teammates have been in his development.

“I did an interview last year and said all I wanted to do was play another game. I played down here against Catalans and only played for just over 10 minutes, but I remember having to put a few tackles in. It is good to play against experienced players and as a young player, I look up to the forwards.

“You learn stuff off playing against different teams because when you are on the pitch and playing against different players, you get used to how they play, and you can pick up things on the field.

“The forwards have been amazing to me with the likes of Nathan Massey, Liam Watts, Millo (Millington) and Sui (Matagi). I remember in pre-season seeing Sui’s footwork and it is immense. That is something that I have been trying to work on. I pick up different things from all of them and that’s good because as a young player, you can take bits from all of them.”

The front rower has been a vital part in the Under 19’s successes this term, as a proud product of the Club’s youth system, representing the Tigers at Scholarship level and making it all the way into the First Team and he credits the amazing work done by the coaches who have helped him along the way.

“The Academy has been amazing; I think it has been three years with the likes of Danny (Evans) and Casper (Tony Smith). I’ve played a few First Team games, but I have been spending most of my time with the Under 19’s and I’m getting that game time week in week out. I’ve been playing with the same lads since Scholarship, and we’ve won 11 out of 14 games this year. We have been playing well this season and it has been a really good year for us.

“We didn’t really know what to expect because some of the boys haven’t been in for 18 months. Everyone has put everything into it and the coaches have been amazing.”

Hall’s Castleford appearances have come under the tutelage of Daryl Powell and the youngster stated how thankful he is to his former coach for giving him the opportunity but is raring to go for the Tigers’ new era under Lee Radford.

“Obviously Powelly gave me my debut and I can’t thank him enough for that but with Radders coming in, I am going to be able to learn new things. There are probably things that I haven’t learnt yet or he can show me different ways.

“I have been enjoying my rugby and when you are enjoying your rugby that is when you play your best. I am just going to enjoy it again next year and hopefully learn more and have a good year next year.”

The Fords faithful love seeing young guns from the local area getting their chance to show what they can do on the big stage and to finish, Hall said that he’s cherishing the opportunity to play in front of them again next season.

“Thank you for the support and hopefully next year I can get a few more performances in and we will have a good year.”

Castleford’s new Head Coach for 2022 and beyond, Lee Radford, voiced his delight at being able to extend the contract of one of the Club’s promising forward stars.

“He has got a great skillset for a big bloke. Physically, he’s got what a lot of other young kids don’t and that’s his size. Hopefully we can nurture that skill and develop him into a big ball playing middle.”