The Salford half-back Rangi Chase has made a career out of game-changing moments and he produced another here that could have huge ramifications on the Super 8s. When the die is cast on the inaugural Super 8s and the promotion spots are decided, Chase’s instinctive break and finish sealed what could be an enormous win for the Red Devils in this brand new mini-league.

It could have been so different, though; Wakefield were leading 26-22 and looking odds-on for a precious win in the game between the two Super League sides believed to be in the most danger of relegation this season before Bill Tupou failed to pass when it looked as if Wakefield had a certain try in waiting – and on the very next tackle, Chase was galloping up the other end to seal the win.

“Rangi cost us a couple of tries during the game but he provided a magic moment for that try which won it for us,” said the Salford acting head coach, Ian Watson. “It’s vital to get off with a win and these players have got a point to prove – we’re going out to win these middle eights.”

Wakefield were nothing short of disastrous in the opening 39 minutes after two tries from Josh Griffin and one from brother George put Salford 16-0 up. But when Jacob Miller crossed with seconds left before the break, it gave the Wildcats hope.

That hope turned into genuine belief soon after as two tries in the opening eight minutes of the second half – one from Miller again and another from Danny Washbrook courtesy of some great play from half-back Tim Smith – put them into the lead. That sparked a tit-for-tat half with both teams exchanging tries, and after Cory Paterson restored Salford’s advantage, Reece Lyne finished off a scintillating team move to hand the initiative back to Wakefield.

Lee Smith then added a penalty goal to extend the lead to four, before the game’s pivotal moment; Tupou failed to pass for a certain try and when Scott Moore hacked his kick straight to Junior Sa’u, he cleverly passed to Chase, who broke away with remarkable pace to turn the game on its head again. That implosion from Wakefield proved telling, as that try for once did not prompt another change in the lead but rubber-stamped Salford’s win.

Chase was again involved. His kick ricocheted into the path of his half-back partner, Michael Dobson, whose following kick was plucked from the air magnificently by Paterson to seal a result that could be enormous come the conclusion of the Super 8s.

Yet the Wakefield coach, Brian Smith, refused to place blame at Tupou’s – or any individual’s – door. “I think it’d be ridiculous to attribute the result to one play or one player,” he said.

“The end cost us but, there are things going on out there that are so far out of control it’s hard to play at all. But when we got going, they couldn’t deal with us – but we didn’t finish the job. It’s one that got away.”

Salford Jones-Bishop; J Griffin, Thornley, Sa’u, Johnson; Chase, Dobson; Taylor, Tomkins, G Griffin, Hansen, Maitua, Paterson.

Interchange Lee, Krasniqi, Evalds, Morley.

Tries J Griffin 2, G Griffin, Paterson 2, Chase. Goals J Griffin 4, Paterson.

Wakefield L Smith; Owen, Tupou, Arundel, Lyne; Miller, T Smith; Scruton, Moore, Anderson, Molloy, Ashurst, Simon.

Interchange Sio, Walker, Mullally, Washbrook.

Tries Miller 2, Washbrook, Lyne. Goals L Smith 5.

Referee J Child. Attendance 3,400.