Ex-Hull KR player Sam Wood admits the Robins are an example to everyone in Super League. The Castleford captain felt the full force of Willie Peters’ side at first-hand when they were swept aside 48-0 on Thursday.
Rovers, having already bagged the Challenge Cup, have now moved four points clear at the top of Super League, raising hopes they could win their first championship since 1985. Rangy centre Wood, who scored nine tries in 33 games for the Robins during 2022 and 2023, admitted: “They are a really class outfit and are doing some of the basic stuff really well which ultimately results in big things.
“That’s why they did a number on us. We weren’t quite at the races and a good team like that will punish you. They showed us how to go on.”
Rovers have improved vastly in recent years, reaching Wembley in 2023 and a maiden Grand Final last term. With new investment off the field, too, they are flourishing. Wood, who made his England debut last year after moving to Wheldon Road, said: “At the back end of my time at KR, I caught the start of Willie Peters and his first year.
“They’ve spent really well and brought in some really good recruits. We’re probably striving to get to that standard and it’s a process. They’ve been through it. They got relegated, came back stronger and rebuilt the club. They’re doing really well.
“But Castleford’s journey is just starting out like they did. We’re building and it will take effort. We just need to keep grinding and working hard.”
Castleford, down in tenth and with just four wins so far, have a new owner of their own in Martin Jepson who took over ahead of 2025.
With ex-Robins assistant Danny McGuire as head coach, they hope to start their own rebuild.
Wood, 31, admitted: “We’re probably at a different point to KR in our journey as a new team. There were going to be bumps in the road in our journey and we’re well aware of that.
“We just need to stick together and keep competing hard and keep turning up for each other and working hard 100 percent in training each week to get better. And that’s what we’ll do.”
They host champions Wigan on Saturday and Wood admitted: “It doesn’t get any easier but these are the teams we want to be playing.
“They’re the best in the comp’ and we need to turn up next week and have a good dig.”