League: Thrilling Chase waits in Exile

Rangi Chase. Photo / Getty Images

Super League's form player Rangi Chase is hopeful his call-up into the Exiles squad for Saturday morning's International Origin Match in Britain can finally propel him into the full Kiwis squad.

Chase has caught the eye with some barnstorming performances for Castleford during the first half of Europe's premier league competition. Last weekend, the creative halfback bagged four tries as the Tigers crushed Harlequins 56-24. He was rewarded with selection in the 22-man Exiles squad coached by former Kiwis boss Brian McClennan.

The inaugural match draws Super League's finest players from Australia and New Zealand up against England . Such is the strength of the Exiles squad, the bookies make the transtasman outfit slight favourites to triumph in Leeds.

Chase hopes the opportunity of playing on such a high profile stage might convince Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney that he may be worth a punt for the Four Nations series staged in the UK later this year.

"It's a proud moment for me to get picked alongside guys such as Danny Buderus and Steve Menzies. I'm playing alongside guys with a lot of test and State of Origin experience while Thomas Leuluai is a Kiwis regular.

"Hopefully, I'll end up playing. This game could help me play for New Zealand. That's my goal to wear the black and white of my country.

"It's a dream of mine since I was a little kid. If I play well [in Leeds] I might get a crack."

Chase, originally from Dannevirke, is now in his third full season in Super League after struggling to make a genuine impact in the NRL. He was down the pecking order behind the likes of Benji Marshall, Scott Prince and Robbie Farah at Wests Tigers and left after just one year.

He moved on to St George-Illawarra for a couple of seasons but coach Wayne Bennett told Chase he only saw him as a back- up player and the Kiwi decided to reinvigorate his career in England. He joined the unfashionable West Yorkshire-based Castleford in an effort to rebuild his confidence - and for the past three seasons he has emerged as one of Super League's most consistent performers.

In his debut year in 2009, he topped the Super League charts for tackle busts. Last season he was No 1 player in the competition for carries and try assists and midway through this campaign - not counting this weekend's matches - he is in the top 10 for carries, tackle busts, try assists, metres carried and try scorers.

"England is what you make of it," says Chase. "Castleford is more of a family team, which I like a lot, compared to Australia where you just play the game and head off home. Here you mingle with the players a lot more. It reminds me more of club footie which is really nice."

Chase, 25, believes his decision-making skills have improved during his time in the Super League - a fact he attributes to the role the Tigers Aussie coach Terry Matterson played in his development. He also cites his understanding with his fellow half back at Castleford, Danny Orr - an ex-England and Great Britain international.

Castleford has unquestionably transformed a career that stalled in Australia, but there is no doubting his ultimate ambition.

"The only thing that is stopping me (from staying long-term in Super League) is the NRL. It is the best competition and there are a lot of quality players in my position. The best player in the world Benji Marshall is in front of me (in the Kiwi picture) and that is a good reason why one day I want to play in the NRL."

Buderus, the former Australian international, has been named skipper of the Exiles with Leuluai vice captain. Other New Zealanders in the squad include Louis Anderson, Brent Webb, George Carmont, David Fa'alogo, Kylie Leuluai, Francis Meli, David Faiumu, Tony Puletua and Iosia Soliola.

Well-known Kangaroos and NRL stars in the Exiles team include Craig Fitzgibbon, Brett Hodgson, Steve Menzies, Matt King and Mark O'Meley.