McNamara demands Bulls earn their stripes

6:58am Saturday 17th May 2008

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Bulls boss Steve McNamara has challenged his side to take their game to new levels at Castleford tomorrow.

They must do so without the services of Shontayne Hape (knee) and former Tigers hooker Wayne Godwin (groin) who have both pulled out with niggles.

However, the Odsal chief welcomes back stand-off Ben Jeffries and winger James Evans following their own injury problems while Craig Kopczak returns having been cup-tied last week.

McNamara was pleased with his team's one-sided destruction of Catalans in the Challenge Cup but reckons there is scope for plenty of improvement as they return to Super League action tomorrow.

"We started very strong last week and looked really strong but it is not my job to overreact to things," he said.

"Just as I don't get too reactive when we have a defeat then I don't get carried away when we have some success.

"There were still some areas, individually, that needed improving because they weren't good enough, even in a performance like that.

"We have to get better against Cas. They have threatened on a lot of occasions to get their season going and are a very dangerous proposition.

"When you see the speed of Ryan McGoldrick, Luke Dorn and Michael Shenton and with Joe Westerman doing some special things for them, then they have shown to be a threatening side.

"We are looking to put a quality performance together and realise that has to be the case."

McNamara is delighted to get Jeffries and co back on board.

The former Wakefield No 6 has missed the last two games but should step in for Iestyn Harris tomorrow.

"Ben's a very quick and very smart player who I feel will grow with this organisation," he said.

"It was difficult for him at the start when he didn't get in the side straight away and then he got a settled spot but his injury set him back a bit.

"That is why we have a squad though. We have had all of our halves injured at some time and it's been important we've had such depth but it would be nice to see everyone fit and ready to go. That would give me an opportunity to rest some players and keep everyone fresh."

Hape and Godwin hope to be fit for Friday's showdown against Leeds with McNamara also earmarking the derby as Joe Vagana's comeback; the latest X-ray on his broken arm showed it wasn't quite healed in time for Castleford.

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