5 Mar 2026

Getting to know: Castleford Tigers

Back from their huge win in Las Vegas, Leeds Rhinos face a stern test at AMT Headingley as Castleford Tigers are the visitors on Sunday afternoon, kick off 3pm.

Ryan Carr's side got their first win of the campaign last time out against Huddersfield, and head to Leeds hoping to continue their positive form. Recent form is against the Fords, as the Rhinos are unbeaten against Castleford on home soil since 2021.

Here's a look closer look at the Tigers:

Key Playmakers

Krystian Mapapalangi

Club Apps: 4 | Club Tries: 1

An underrated signing on his arrival from the NRL, centre Mapapalangi looks a real prospect on the edge for the Tigers alongside new recruits Darnell McIntosh, Mikaele Ravalawa and Semi Valemei.

A product of the Knights' youth system, the NSW native managed to break into the NRL side six times in the 2022 and 2024 seasons, scoring one senior try in 2024 against the Wests Tigers - the club he later played 15 Reserves games for in 2025. He was a late pickup ahead of the 2026 season, but has wasted little time cementing a place in the centres. He's played every minute of the campaign so far (Cup and League) and leads the club in tackle breaks and ranks in the top five Castleford players for metres, ball carries and try assists.

Tom Weaver

Club Apps: 4 | Club Tries: 2

Half back Weaver has been one of the Tigers' top performers as he settles into his new partnership alongside Daejarn Asi in the heart of the Tigers attack. The former Tweed Seagull and Gold Coast pivot amassed 50 combined games across the NRL and Queensland Cup competitions, finishing 2025 as the Seagulls' top try assister, before signing a two-year contract at the Tigers. So far, he has the joint most tries and most points in Castleford colours this year.

Mikaele Ravalawa

Club Apps: 4 | Club Tries: 1

A serial try scorer during his time at St George Illawarra Dragons, Ravalawa and Castleford fans are hoping his try scoring will pick up in the coming fixtures. Ravalawa's try-scoring for the Saints sits in the record books as the sixth best of all time as he crossed 67 times between 2019 and 2024. A standout game in particular was in 2023 when he scored four times against Parramatta on his way to finishing the year with 21 total tries.

After three games for the Rabbitohs in 2025, he was a key recruit for the Tigers' cause as he rejoined his former coach Carr as part of a new look back line. With only one try, the 28-year-old will go up against Maika Sivo in a tussle on the right edge.

Joe Stimson

Club Apps: 15 | Club Tries: 1

The bulldozing forward has been rewarded for his leadership qualities as he's taken the captain's armband from Alex Mellor, who's sidelined with injury.

The prop called time in his NRL career - consisting of 114 games over eight years with Melbourne, Canterbury and Gold Coast - to join the Tigers midway through the 2025 season and was ever-present from his debut against Wigan. The start of this season saw Stimson get over for a try in the Challenge Cup win over Doncaster, and he has been the Tigers' main loose forward option against Wigan, Toulouse and Huddersfield.