Harris wowed by astute Chase

16 March 2015 01:16

Rangi Chase scored one try and made the other three as Salford Red Devils continued their Super League revival, but it was his game management that most impressed head coach Iestyn Harris.

The Red Devils held on to claim a 24-16 win over Wakefield Wildcats on Sunday and, after starting the season with two successive defeats, have now climbed up to sixth in the table.

With Australia coach Tim Sheens at the club in a short-term advisory role Salford have claimed five points from the six on offer in their last three games and it is the form of former St George Illawarra Dragon star Chase that has stood out.

But while his eye-catching displays in attack have grabbed the headlines - most notably his outrageous recent assist against Hull FC - Harris was delighted with Chase's all-round performance against the Wildcats.

"Rangi's game management was really good at times, which is a real progression for him," Harris said.

"We all know what Rangi can do with ball in hand, but he picked the right time to put the ball in the right areas and his kicking game was good."

The Red Devils were back at almost full strength with full-back Kevin Locke singled out for praise by Harris as well.

And now up into the top half of the table, Harris is hoping the penny has finally dropped for his side.

"The players have stayed close together as a group and you can see the energy levels on the field are good," he added.

"Their mentality has been right over the last two or three weeks.

"We probably missed two or three clear-cut opportunities, which would have made the game look a whole lot different on the scoreboard, but it was important to get the two points and keep the momentum going."

- Unbeaten St Helens -

St Helens are now the only unbeaten team left in Super League after they came from behind to see off Widnes Vikings 30-20.

Former New Zealand Warrior Lance Hohaia crossed twice for the reigning champions, but it was the form of Atelea Vea, who also bagged a try, that caught head coach Keiron Cunningham's eye.

"We looked a bit jaded in the first half but I was immensely pleased with our second half show. We set high standards at this club and were virtually untouchable at times," he said.

"Atelea Vea was absolutely brilliant and is playing well with Joe Greenwood in the second row. Travis Burns has also fitted into our system really well and all the kids are doing a big job which is promising for the club.

"Lance (Hohaia( hasn't played many minutes this season but is a good competitor. He's a very good utility player and he's made it tough for me not to play him next week."

Leeds Rhinos' perfect start to the season was ended by Warrington on Friday and Wolves head coach Tony Smith admitted it was his side's stingy defence that had pleased him most in the 18-6 win.

"It was fantastic, little improvements in our kicking game, some improvements in attack, huge improvements in defence," he said.

"We've been a bit patchy with some of our kicks, a bit patchy with some of our attack, but if you're patchy in defence that puts you under enormous pressure."

Source: AFP