Hull FC coach Lee Radford believes Rangi Chase's smart decision-making proved the difference in his side's 35-22 defeat at Salford Red Devils last night.
The 2011 Man of Steel showed his true quality directing his side around the park, opening the scoring with an 80m interception and setting up countless other tries for Iestyn Harris' men.
On the flip-side, Hull were lacking in ideas in the halves, despite Jordan Rankin making his return to the side following compassionate leave.
Radford says Chase's skills to set up Mason Caton-Brown's try in the first half was testament to how the former Castleford man controlled the game.
"Rangi is a quality half. He controlled them across the park and destroyed us in the Cup game too," he told the Mail.
"Some of his decision making was really smart. There was a couple of sets where we were physically dominating them in defence, and then he comes up with a smart kick to touch to give his forwards a breather. It's what smart halves do.
"The try just before half-time, he recognises Jamie Shaul is on a six by four split and he just threads it through and Caton-Brown scores in the corner.
"You pay for what you get and certainly, he was top drawer."
Although FC suffered their 12th defeat of the season, Radford saw the positives, with Chris Green and Dean Hadley particular stand-outs.
Returning from a month-long loan at Featherstone, prop forward Green put himself in the coach's minds in the hunt for the play-offs, whilst Hadley, who deputised for injured skipper Gareth Ellis, took his try well in the second half.
"I thought Greeny went really well and he was very physical for us," said Radford.
"He's been out, in and around the fringes, and on loan at Featherstone but I thought he turned up with the right minerals. He had a real chomp at it.
"Dean is also the type of kid I want around the place. He trains with the same level of intensity every week and gets on with his job.
"He's an absolute champion and it goes to show in his performance.
"Tom Lineham could've had a hat-trick and there were some dubious decisions out there."
Radford confirmed Aaron Heremaia took a knock, along with Green, and the pair are early doubts for Hull's trip to Wigan Warriors on Friday night.
