The 32-year-old Samoa international has made the majority of his 57 Betfred Super League appearances for the Tigers at stand-off but for 2018 will be asked by coach Daryl Powell to fill in for Hardaker.
“I sat down with Daryl a week after the Grand Final to discuss what he was thinking in terms of where I’m going to play and at the moment it’s full-back,” Roberts said. “It’s a challenge I’m looking forward to.
“The one thing I’ve learnt about myself coming over to England and playing under Daryl is to not be so one-dimensional with my game. He obviously sees some potential in me to play full-back and do a good job so to have the belief of our head coach is all I need.
Great day chalked off here in the sun on pre season camp! Boys are looking sharp and ready to take on the Rhinos on Sunday 🉠pic.twitter.com/3edpiq6wXd
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) January 16, 2018
“Zak had a big impact on our team last year but you can’t really compare the two of us, we’re two completely different players. I’ll sit down with Daryl and talk about where my strengths are and where I can bring them into the team.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to make enough of an impact to get the team forward and do well.”
Roberts will get a chance to try out his new role when the Tigers take on Leeds Rhinos in a pre-season friendly at the Jungle on Sunday.
With Roberts forming a dynamic half-back partnership with Luke Gale, Castleford were the trail-blazers throughout 2017, winning the League Leaders’ Shield by 10 clear points, and, although they fell at the last hurdle by losing to the Rhinos in the Grand Final, Powell’s men are fancied to be among the front-runners again.
BREAKING SQUAD NEWS | The boss has named a strong 22 man squad to take on @leedsrhinos here at the Jungle on Sunday!
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) January 15, 2018
Who are you looking forward to seeing take to the field?
Grab your tickets online here âž¡ï¸https://t.co/urSXJtOVYZ pic.twitter.com/DYg3sHMiKN
“A lot of people are saying it was probably a one-off last year but anyone that knows us will tell you that it’s something that has been building for a few years under Daryl,” Roberts said.
“We obviously fell short at the big dance and we want to make it a consistent thing where we’re challenging every year. This year is going to be a lot tougher I think because teams are going to take us more seriously than in the past but for us nothing changes in terms of our standards and our goals.
“We’ll learn a lot from that loss. Looking at the boys, it burns that little flame in our bellies a bit more to want to win it even more this year.”
Castleford are currently on a warm-weather training camp in Lanzarote to finalise their preparations for their opening match at St Helens on February 2.
