What a top game that was!



I was dubious as to how much difference Chase would make to the team, but I thought it totally transformed us (from an attacking perspective). It took lots of pressure off Tim Smith and allowed him to play his own game and let Rangi do his "off the cuff" stuff. Chase always makes sure when he passes to a forward they are taking it on the run, which has been lacking in recent weeks and resulted in more yards in our sets. Kicking games was also improved.

Gleeson was class, Junior Sau was also impressive, will only get better as he gets fitter.

Theo looks good at hooker, think he could be a better option than tommy lee. Lee has been solid but I think we move from the ruck much quicker with Theo as his ball handling is very good and he has pace.

One player I worry about is Meli, just don't see what he brings to the team. Possibly could be ok as a centre but I think we need another dangerous winger like Johnson on the opposite wing, lack a bit of pace on that side as Sau isn't the quickest either.

I thought the Cas fans were ace, good on them. I think we need to get the marketing pushed again because home attendances are dropping every week.

Hope we can build on todays result and kick on from here.

It was a good performance by us, the lads dug in to stop a second half fightback by Cas. I honestly think the scoreline flattered them.

Tommy Lee & Theo need to be our hookers moving forward IMO, both bring different things to the game.

Chase put in a great shift & took some pressure off Smith, more than that though I think he helped boss the team a bit. He seemed to be getting a grip of the lads and bollocking them a bit - something we've needed all season I think.

Meli & Puletua were the weakest inks in the team today, need younger replacements for them by next season but that's not news to anyone.

Crowd was disappointing but I sadly expected that with the last few results. I think a lot of people got the deal for the first 3 games & were disappointed with our last 2 home performances. We need to live up to the hype before we can expect 6k and beyond every week. Cas' turnout was great on the other hand.

Very impressed today.
Agree that Theo is a better interchange hooker than Howarth,and Lee was very effective today.
Smith looked a different player with Rangi playing.
Strong defence with Tasi ,HH and Dixon outstanding.
Don't understand the criticism of Tony Puletua

Well I thought Puletea had a good game. Meli wasnt fit was he? Mullaney is looking a threat now Rangi is back. Sean Long`s involvement there for all to see. Some good stuff from Cas & a good game all round indeed.

I thought TP & Meli were average, haven't been impressed by them all season. They're not bad players at all but they are past their best. After this season I think they'll need to be replaced, that's all.

I'm not crying for their heads or anything before anyone gets upset.

Again, it was a good team performance & the lads collectively showed a lot of character in the second half.

Personally think Mullaney has been a threat all season, he must have been involved in at least 1/3 of our tries so far.

I remember being called all the names under the sun for suggesting Theo would be a good interchange hooker in preseason.

Always nice to be proved right.

Agree with all above posts.
Chase made the difference , not only in the obvious danger he presents with seemingly several options with ball in hand; (must be a nightmare to defend against ) but also in the way that lifts the whole team . Generally much quicker movement at the ruck.
Definitely like Theo as the interchange hooker, can't see Howarth now getting a look in if both Lee and Theo stay fit .

As for Cas - great turnout from fans. Carney's thighs are bigger than Junior Sau's which is saying something !
Loved the cameo Cas cats woman haranguing Childs at the scrum towards the end !

I hear you, I've said countless times that if he is good enough to be a replacement hooker in a world cup for his national side he is good enough for Salford. Going forward he adds much more than Howarth ever will.

Thought S'au looks like he wants the ball as much as possible going forward and that in defense it will take something good too run over him.

I thought TP was much more effective when on the field than McPherson who for me faces the biggest struggle to stay at the club come the end of the season.

Dixon shows what an asset he is with a fine all round performance.

Mullaney again showed he will be our best buy this season and for me did so being injured for a large part of the game.

Tasi seems not to be making the yards he was and I wonder if he needs to be taking the ball deeper to gaib greater momentum.


All in all think we saw just exactly hot much we have missed Chase so far this season, I'll be honest today was also the first time I've seen Smith justify all the hype, doubt that Smith playing better and Chase returning isn't linked.

If I could ask for a couple of things come the end of the season it would be that the Doc goes all out to bring Carney and Clarke in think they would make a massive difference to the current squad.

I think you might just get your wish with one of them.

first of all the best team won and deserved to win but for me the game was not good it was poor because of one man in the middle not just for Cas but both teams I played for 20 years and watched for 40 and Childs put the worst performance I have ever seen of a Ref. Again I will say well done best team won.

Agreed about Childs, lost count of the number of times I couldn't actually figure why he had blown for something, but then at other missed the most obvious infractions.

Hang on,that's a bit extreme.
Childs had a poor game,he's a poor ref.
He made several obvious mistakes.
But,we saw a good game of Rugby and the ref was a part of that.
I've seen far worse reffing displays over the years,today's wouldn't have made my top ten worst displays