Rangi Just Out To Chase Some Fun

Illawarra Mercury

Monday June 11, 2007

By LUKE KEENAN

ENJOYING themselves again is St George Illawarra's passport to backing up a shock win against Brisbane with victory over Cronulla at Oki Jubilee Stadium tonight, says pivot Rangi Chase.

Chase and mid-season signing Jamie Soward - who helped the Roosters upset the Sharks just three weeks ago - played a big part in the Dragons' 11-4 win over the Broncos at Kogarah last round.

On the back of a dominant forward display, the two young halves conjured up plenty of attacking flair in only their first hit-out together.

And the 21-year-old stressed the red and whites should again heed coach Nathan Brown's advice and enjoy themselves - even if it is a wet and soggy paddock.

"Brownie stressed going out and enjoying yourself (against Brisbane) and that's what we all did," Chase said.

"You could see it, everyone was happy, it was just good. We enjoyed ourselves and played pretty good football off the back of it.

"But you've got to back it up. One win ain't gonna do nothing. We've got to pull a few together to get into the top eight. The big test is to back it up against the Sharks."

Wearing the No 6 jersey last round was the Kiwi playmaker's first start in the top grade. And he got to notch up the milestone against Queensland skipper Darren Lockyer.

"It was good to get a win against the Broncs," Chase said. "It was a buzz for me lining up against Lockyer. Just to get my first start in first grade was a good buzz.

"We (Soward and Chase) managed to go all right our first time. Fingers crossed, we get our combination a bit better. It'll take a bit of time, but it's good playing with Jamie - he brings that extra spark to the team."

Chase is no stranger to his Sharks opposite, Anthony Watts, who will be making his first-grade debut as the two clubs celebrate 40 years of the "the derby".

"I've played against him at school (on the Gold Coast)," Chase said. "He's a tough player, he's a tough kid. Good on him to see him (playing first grade). It'll be just like going back and playing against him at school again."

Dragons mentor Brown said he expected his halves to build on their impressive debut.

"Last week they did some really good things and played to each other pretty well, but I think there's a lot of scope for improvement," he said.

Soward agreed with Brown. "I'm starting to get how he (Chase) plays and he's probably gonna start to get how I play. Hopefully it clicks sooner rather than later."

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

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