Gentle compares to Chase to Benji

Hull coach Peter Gentle has compared Rangi Chase to Benji Marshall ahead of his side’s clash with Castleford on Sunday.

Gentle worked with the Kiwi skipper during his time as assistant at Wests Tigers, and believes that in Chase, Castleford have a player with similar capabilities.

He told the club’s official website: “Rangi Chase is a hugely talented player. He’s got everything and he’s a lot like Benji in many respects.

“He’s been playing well this season and Ian Millward has him playing a lot more structured than he has been used to in the past. Like Benji, he’s got that off-the-cuff play in his locker though and we know how dangerous he can be if we give him the space he likes. 

“But having coached Benji, I’ve also got a good idea of the things he doesn’t like a defence to throw up against him and that’s the challenge for us this weekend.”

Chase and Castleford have only managed one win so far this season, in the opening round against Salford, while Hull have won three on the bounce, the latest being last Sunday’s 58-10 thumping of Widnes.

Gentle added: “Castleford have gone through a lot of adversity this season, but they have some very good players there and I have no doubt they will put it all together soon. We need to make sure they don’t have the opportunity to do that against us.”