Rangi Chase: Moving to Castleford was the best thing that happened to my career

Former England international Rangi Chase says moving to Castleford Tigers was the best thing he’s ever done for his rugby league career.

Chase, 35, enjoyed six seasons at Castleford in his first stint.

The New-Zealand born player made the switch to Super League ahead of the 2009 season from St George Illawarra Dragons.

He enjoyed 144 appearances for the Tigers, having returned for his second stint in 2016.

He made his professional debut in 2006 in the NRL, and says making the move to England was one of the best things to happen to his career.

Rangi Chase on move to the UK with Castleford Tigers

“I had one game for Wests Tigers which was obviously my debut and was an awesome feeling,” Chase told Love Rugby League. 

“That was my dream really. Just to play one game was awesome.

“I didn’t manage to make the team that year, so I went to St George for two years under Nathan Brown and played some games there.

“I was more of a utility and I wasn’t able to cement one spot. It was good for the team but it wasn’t really good for me. I wanted the opportunity to cement one spot, whether hooker or stand-off. You play anywhere when you first start out, but I thought it wasn’t helping my career, so I came to the mighty Castleford Tigers.

“We were sort of underachieving at St George. We had some Australian representatives and stuff like that.

“I negotiated my contract with Nathan Brown and I was going to stay and I was going to be the stand-off for the next year which was 2009. But then negotiations stopped and Wayne Bennett came in and he offered me less money and said I’ll be second string.

“So I just thought, I just want to play one position. I was confident in my ability. I got on to my manager and he said there’s some options over in the UK. It was either Castleford or Salford with the same deal. I just had to take my pick. 

Rangi Chase: ‘I went to Castleford not knowing anything about it’

“I went to Castleford not knowing anything about it. And I was originally going for two years to get the experience of playing every week and to learn my trade.

“I’m going into my 14th year here now. The lifestyle I had as a kid, I was moving around a lot so I was used to moving. That didn’t really scare me.

“I took it as what it was, an opportunity to do what I love. Personally, I love the sport that much I’d do what I could to play. I was probably a bit nervous closer to the time coming over, a different country and it’s cold and people say the competition isn’t as good.

“But it was the best thing that ever happened to me as far as my career goes.”

The current Rochdale half-back is latest next guest on the Love Rugby League podcast.

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