Salford’s Vatuvei flies in BEAST’ ON TRACK FOR CUP DEBUT
RUGBY LEAGUE Devils new boy ready to rumble in semi
SALFORD could let Manu ‘The Beast’ Vatuvei off the leash for the first time in next Sunday’s Challenge Cup semifinal.
The giant Kiwi winger, who got his nickname setting try- scoring records for New Zealand Warriors and his country, only touched down in England on Wednesday.
It was too soon for him to make his debut in Friday’s trip to Leigh Centurions – but Red Devils coach Ian Watson has not ruled out handing him his bow against Cup favourites Wigan.
Salford are hoping to reach Wembley for the first time since 1969, having spent most of this term in Super League’s top four.
Explosive
And the explosive Vatuvei, 31, could add an extra dimension to their attack for the biggest game in the club’s recent history.
He said: “I have heard the Challenge Cup is massive over here, and that the club hasn’t been to Wembley for a long time.
“It would be an honour for me to be a part of it, but right now I just have to concentrate on getting myself right and getting over the jet lag.
“I was keen and excited to play on Friday, but that wasn’t going to happen and I’ve just got to go with the flow.
“I had my first session on Thursday and it’s a case of getting myself into the system and understanding the game plan.
“I’m just trying to fit in and the boys have been so welcoming since the first day I got here – that’s been awesome.
“They are an exciting team – they are young and committed to each other and everything they do. That’s something I really like and I don’t want to come in and interfere with what they’re doing.
“I want to come in and do a bit of what I do and, hopefully, that works with the boys.”
Vatuvei has played over 200 times and scored 152 tries in 14 seasons with the Warriors.
And he bid a tearful goodbye to the club when his teammates performed a special haka in his honour earlier this month. Vatuvei added: “It was emotional for myself, having been at the club since I was 15 or 16.
“I didn’t imagine I’d ever leave the Warriors, I thought I’d finish at the club.
“But looking at it now, I got really excited when Salford were interested in me coming.
“It feels like when I first joined the Warriors – I just want to prove myself and earn the respect of the boys at the club.” JY HITCHCOX scored twice as Super League leaders Castleford left in late.
Tries from Hitchcox (right) and Zak Hardaker saw Tigers into a 14-0 lead – but Catalans were 18-16 up at the break.
And it was on a knife-edge before Castleford extended their winning run to 12 matches with late tries from Aussie Hitchcox and Paul McShane.