Rangi Chase set for NRL return

James Gordon

Rangi Chase appeared to wave farewell to Castleford after inspiring them to a 28-26 win over Widnes on Saturday.

Chase, 27, was given the weekend to consider a possible move to NRL side St George Illawarra, which looks set to finally end speculation over the future of the England international.

Last season, he saw a potential move to Hull collapse, and then an off-season move to the Dragons also broke down.

But the Kiwi-born stand-off now looks to be off, on the back of a man-of-the-match performance against the Vikings, which ended with him blowing kisses to fans at the Wish Communications Stadium.

The 2011 Man of Steel admitted on Sky that he has “had a great time at Cas”, while the departure of their top-earner will certainly help to ease Castleford’s financial problems.

Chase is in his fifth season in Super League, having joined ahead of the 2009 season from St George.

He previously made more than 30 NRL appearances for the Dragons, as well as a solitary appearance, his NRL debut, for Wests Tigers in 2006.