A Fork in the Road at The Jungle: Castleford Tigers Face Five Defining Contract Calls for 2026, With an Overseas Trio, Rising Stars and Key Forwards All Holding the Club’s Long-Term Future in Their Hands
Ryan Carr has barely had time to unpack his office at The Jungle, yet the future is already knocking loudly on the door. With Castleford Tigers turning a page after years of drifting in rugby league’s middle lane, attention is shifting from recruitment to retention — and the decisions made over the next 12 months could shape the club’s next era.
December is always a danger zone. Any player entering the final year of their deal is free to speak with rivals, and for a club rebuilding its identity, losing the wrong piece could unravel months of careful planning. Castleford have 12 players off-contract at the end of 2026, but five names sit at the very top of the priority list for Carr, director of rugby Chris Chester, and the board.
These are the calls that will keep the Tigers roaring — or leave them chasing shadows.
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Daejarn Asi – The heartbeat of the rebuild
If Castleford are serious about climbing the ladder, Daejarn Asi feels like the kind of player you build around, not replace. Despite operating behind a pack often on the back foot in 2025, the playmaker still chalked up 21 try contributions — no small feat in a side that struggled for consistency.
Asi’s growing chemistry with Blake Taaffe, Tom Weaver and Liam Hood offers real hope. With a more settled spine and a clearer game model under Carr, his influence should only grow. If his numbers rise with the team’s fortunes, Castleford won’t want to let negotiations drift. Letting Asi test the market would be flirting with danger.
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Zac Cini – Untapped talent waiting to click
Zac Cini’s first season in black and amber was more simmer than spark, but the ingredients are there. Capable of playing centre or full-back, the former Wests Tigers and Parramatta junior hasn’t yet shown the full scope of his ability.
That could change quickly. A new combination with powerhouse winger Mikaele Ravalawa may unlock the version of Cini that once turned heads in Australia. Castleford know potential is a precious currency — and if Cini delivers in 2026, rivals will be watching closely.
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Joe Stimson – The engine room enforcer
Castleford’s mid-season move for Joe Stimson paid immediate dividends. Tough, reliable and uncompromising, he quickly became one of the Tigers’ most consistent forwards in 2025.
Next season brings a twist. Handed the No.13 jersey, with Joe Westerman shifting roles, Stimson is set for a new challenge at loose forward — a position he has handled before, including a try-scoring, goal-kicking performance in his final Queensland Cup outing. If he thrives in the middle, Castleford will be keen to lock him down before others come sniffing.
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Jason Qareqare – A spark still waiting to ignite
Few players excite Castleford supporters quite like Jason Qareqare. Bursting onto the scene as a 17-year-old in 2021, the Fijian international looked destined for stardom before injuries cruelly stalled his rise.
Limited to just one appearance in 2025, Qareqare now stands at a crossroads. A clean bill of health and regular opportunities could see him rediscover his explosive best. The Tigers know what they have — the question is whether they back patience over frustration.
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Louis Senior – The versatile wildcard
For the first time, the Senior twins will be separated, with Innes departing for Leigh. That leaves Louis fighting his own corner — but he’s quietly built a strong case. Averaging just over a try every other Super League game, with 46 scores in 84 appearances, Senior offers value through versatility.
Able to cover centre, wing and full-back, he may not grab headlines, but squads are built on players like him. His future feels less certain than the others, but depth and durability often prove priceless over a long season.
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Beyond these five, names like Liam Hood, Joe Westerman, Brad Singleton and Chris Atkin also loom large on the off-contract list. But make no mistake — the Tigers’ direction of travel will be defined by the decisions made on their core.
For Ryan Carr, the message is simple: build smart, act early, and don’t let the future slip through your fingers. In rugby league, hesitation is often punished — and Castleford can’t afford another false dawn.