Daryl Powell: Zak Hardaker best in Super League, but still more to come

The former Leeds full-back has re-discovered the form that earned him the 2015 Man of Steel award, but Powell insists there is more to come from him as the leaders prepare to face second-in-the-table Hull at the Mend-a-Hose Jungle on Friday night.

Hardaker, who this week completed a permanent move to the Tigers by signing a four-and-a-half-year contract, provided a demonstration of his renowned attacking flair in last week's win over his old club.

However, Powell believes he is also the toughest full-back in Super League.

"Statistically, we're the best defensive team in the comp at the moment and that's been a huge change for us," Powell said.

"There has been quite a lot of differences this year and Zak has certainly been one of them.

"He had big shoes to fill from an attacking point of view in Luke Dorn, but he's been closing the gap all the time and scored some great tries and created some quality ones for us.

"I just think there's loads of improvement in him. I think there's a lot of subtle things he can improve on.

"But as a tough full-back, he's the best in the comp for me and he's improving all the time from an attacking perspective. For us, as an all-round player, he's been outstanding this year."

After securing the future of Hardaker, Powell is now hoping to tie down his England team-mate Mike McMeeken to a long-term deal.

The former London Broncos second rower, who is tipped to land a central deal with the Rugby Football League, is off contract with the Tigers at the end of next season and Powell is hoping to persuade him to commit his future to the club.

"We want to be extending his contract, I think that's important for us moving forward," Powell said.

"He's been a good player for us and we want to keep our best players."

Meanwhile, revenge will be in the air when Castleford host Hull, less than a fortnight after being knocked out of the Challenge Cup by them.

Tigers scrum-half Luke Gale said: "It's a big game. They've beaten us twice this year so we'll be looking for revenge on Friday.

"It will be a tough game and we need to right a few wrongs from the last time we played them."

Hull coach Lee Radford is acutely aware of the threat posed by the league leaders and is using history to help focus his players' minds.

"I talk about learning lessons from last year, and after the cup final last year we played Warrington at home for the League Leaders' Shield and we got out-enthused that night," he said.

"I think there was a bit of revenge in that performance from Warrington and I've got no doubt that will be exactly the same from Castleford this week.

"That's something we've been highlighting to the players - if we're not bang at it then expect a real response from these blokes."

Although bitterly disappointed by their cup exit, Powell was delighted with his team's response at Leeds last Friday and believes the lack of any distractions could help them in their bid to reach their first Grand Final.

"We feel like we're in a good place and confident, regardless of the Challenge Cup," he said. "We actually feel that will aid us as we move down the track in Super League."