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Rugby League

Salford pin hopes to McRae

11/06/2007

Super League bottom side Salford Reds have named Australian Shaun McRae as their new coach.

The former St Helens and Hull boss has been handed a four-and-a-half-year contract at the club, but he faces an immediate challenge to safeguard the top-flight future of the Willows outfit.

So far this season the Reds have taken just nine points from 16 games and will need a rapid improvement over the remaining 11 matches to shut the three-point gap that separates them from safety.

"We feel that with 11 crucial games to play that this is a very important signing for the club," said chairman John Wilkinson.

"We felt we had to make a signing of a person with vast experience and an enviable track record and I am positive everybody will get behind him and we can complete the season on a high note."

For his part McRae is also confident that he can supply the impetus necessary to carry the Reds back up the table.

"Other clubs can have a say but really your destiny lies in your own hands. You can only control what your team can do," he said.

"We have to continue to work hard and utilise the talent at this club - and clearly there is a lot of talent. That was proved when they reached the play-offs last year."

McRae begins his rescue mission with the visit of fifth-placed Harlequins on Friday night.

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