Castleford stand-off and England convert Chase crowned Man of Steel after stellar Super League season

By Sportsmail Reporter
Updated: 17:36 EST, 3 October 2011

Castleford stand-off Rangi Chase been crowned 2011 Engage Super League Man of Steel.

The 25-year-old New Zealander, who was called into England's Four Nations train-on squad after switching his allegiance, collected the sport's most coveted individual honour at a gala presentation dinner in Manchester.

Chase secured the award, which is decided by a secret ballot of all Super League players, ahead of Wigan full-back Sam Tomkins and St Helens hooker James Roby.

A former Junior Kiwi, Chase joined Castleford from Australian club St George Illawarra in 2008 and last week signed a new contract that will keep him at the Tigers until the end of 2015.

Switching allegiance: Castleford Tigers' Rangi Chase

Switching allegiance: Castleford Tigers' Rangi Chase

He qualifies to play for England under the residency ruling, having lived and worked in the UK for the last three years.

Chase is only the second New Zealander to be named Man of Steel and the first since Wigan centre Dean Bell was judged to have made the biggest impact on the 1992 season.

Raring to go: Chase has thought long and hard about the decision

Man of Steel: Chase

St Helens were also celebrating this evening after their 21-year-old scrum-half Jonny Lomax was named young player of the year ahead of team-mate Jamie Foster and Wigan winger Josh Charnley.

Lomax has come of age in the St Helens first team this season and was promoted to England's elite training squad by England coach Steve McNamara earlier this year.

Catalan Dragons had double cause for celebration after they were named club of the year and Trent Robinson picked up the coach-of-the-year award after turning the team from wooden spoonists to play-off contenders.

Leeds president Harry Jepson was presented with the Mike Gregory spirit of rugby league award in recognition of his life-long involvement in the sport and Hull KR forward Jason Netherton was named community champion for his work with youth and schools groups.

Former St Helens scrum-half Sean Long and Harlequins captain Rob Purdham were presented with awards to mark their long service to Super League.

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