Laying The Ghosts Of ‘87
My first experience of Wembley still traumatises me a little. I arrived at the then iconic national stadium - none of this arch business - a wide-eyed and awe-struck 11-year-old. I had been released from hospital just that week. Indeed there is a certain symmetry there. I have had three hospital appointments in five days leading up to this week’s semi-final at Bolton. Thankfully that is where the similarities end as the Saints 2019 vintage produced a much different result to the one we endured under the twin towers 32 years ago.
On that occasion two disallowed Mark Elia tries left Andy Platt in tears as well as a certain 11-year-old boy. I would get used to disappointment, not seeing Saints win the Challenge Cup for another nine years. Despite the years of success that followed under Shaun McRae, Ellery Hanley, Ian Millward and Daniel Anderson it has been even longer than that since Saints last visited Wembley for a Challenge Cup Final. When victory over Hull FC brought a third Challenge Cup triumph in a row few of us imagined that it would be a further 11 years - the whole of my lifetime at time of the Halifax loss - before Saints would return to the capital. So, expected as it was that we would beat Scott Grix’s side, now a mid-table Championship side as opposed to the defending league champions of 1987, the over-riding emotion from this otherwise fairly routine win was relief that the Wembley drought had finally come to an end. It also ended a run of six consecutive defeats in major semi-finals in the two major competitions that dominate modern rugby league in the northern hemisphere.
Defence Held The Key
Saints were not spectacular in attack. Far from it. They toiled for most of the day with ball in hand, trying to go around their part-time opponents without first earning the right by doing the hard yards up front. You have to give Halifax a lot of credit for that, but even with the score line at 8-2 at the break you never really got a sense that Saints were in any serious danger. For all their guts and endeavour Grix’s side never looked like breaking down a Saints defence that was shorn of one of Britain’s best defensive players in the injured Morgan Knowles.
Even the enforced switch to fullback for Jonny Lomax to cover the absence of Lachlan Coote didn’t weaken the rearguard too much, though it did take a little bit away from the fluency of attack. There would have been those who would have worried that the inclusion of Danny Richardson would make Saints a little more brittle. Barely a day goes by without someone on social media pointing out that Richardson cannot tackle the proverbial fish supper. Yet the young half stood up to the challenge in that department, as did Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Joseph Paulo who had to adapt to starting roles having played much of their rugby this year from the interchange bench.
Holbrook’s Last Hurrah?
As I write this several news sources have reported that Saints coach Justin Holbrook has agreed a deal to take over at Gold Coast Titans in the NRL from the start of 2020. It doesn’t seem like just over two years since Holbrook breezed into the club to find a team and a fan base desperately damaged by the limitations and subsequent departure of a club legend. When Kieron Cunningham left the building it was felt that it would take more than a quick fix to put the club back where it wanted to be.
It is testament to the job that he has done at Saints that Holbrook has been sought by NRL clubs so quickly. Within a few months of his arrival he had restored the club’s confidence, first by attracting Ben Barba for a memorable but all-too-brief spell, and then guiding pretty much the same group of players that had failed under Cunningham to within a golden-point of the 2017 Grand Final. A year later, with Barba an integral part of the side Holbrook raised Saints to such a level that they rode roughshod over the competition, only losing twice in 23 regular season games en route to the League Leaders Shield. Holbrook copped a fair bit of flak from those outside the club when Saints contrived to lose in both major semi-finals and the Barba situation blew up spectacularly, but even they had to admit that he had transformed his new side from one of a handful of playoff contenders into the most consistent and dominant team in the competition.
Just as he is beginning to learn the lessons of 2018, now regularly resting his stars at various times during the campaign when he had chosen not to do so that year, Holbrook is about to depart. It feels, even if Saints go on to fulfil what many fans see as their destiny by winning at Wembley and in the Old Trafford Grand Final in October, like a mission incomplete. Holbrook is such a powerful motivating force, such a prolific improver of rugby league players, that he could easily have built a dynasty at Saints. If Eamonn McManus and company make the right appointment to replace him that may still happen, but it will be a good deal more difficult without Holbrook at the helm. The lure of the NRL is great for someone like Holbrook both personally and professionally. He was born and raised there and it is home to him. Yet the curtailing of his tenure at Saints is a lost opportunity to build a lasting legacy.
How Will The Ship Sail Before The Big Day?
It’s been a strange old time for Saints. Against the backdrop of the speculation about Holbrook’s future this flat if ultimately fruitful performance came on the back of the much talked about defeat in London in which Saints rested 10 players and slumped to a 32-12 defeat. Neither of these performances have done Saints any tangible harm in terms of their prospects of winning major honours this term. They maintain a 10-point lead at the top of the Super League table and now have safe passage to the Wembley showpiece. Yet form cannot be turned on and off like a tap. Holbrook faces a difficult balancing act over the next few weeks to ensure that his players are physically and mentally ready for August 24.
That means not over-working his players but there is an argument too that he should be wary of letting them become under-cooked. How many star names will be asked to back up from the semi-final in this week’s home game with a Wakefield side that has lost nine out of its last 10 and is free-falling towards a real relegation scrap? A week later Saints travel to Warrington for a Thursday night game. Will either Holbrook or Steve Price want to show the other their full hand just a fortnight before the biggest game of the season to date? Before you know it it is then time to visit a desperate Leeds side on August 16 and the same questions remain. Will a full side be risked? Holbrook has more to think about than just which Australian city he would like to live and work in next year.
A New....Old Foe
When Saints walk out at Wembley in August 24 they will be introduced to a new experience. Incredibly, despite over 100 years of almost sibling rivalry to match anything the Gallagher brothers can offer, Saints and Warrington have never met in a Challenge Cup Final. That is all going to change after Price’s side edged Hull FC 22-14 in the day’s first semi-final at the University Of Bolton Stadium.
It’s an enticing prospect. There should be none of the fears about poor attendance which dogged the build-up to last year’s final when the Wolves were beaten by Catalans Dragons, surprise conquerors of Saints in the semi-final. This final is arguably happening a year later than most people expected it might, but when you have waited since the competition’s first final in 1897, a time when Jacob Rees-Mogg’s views would have appeared current, what’s another year? Critics may shudder at the prospect of another final contested by two teams separated by just a couple of junctions of the M62, but both clubs will bring the numbers and the noise which should ensure a vintage Challenge Cup atmosphere.
The presence of Widnes Vikings and Sheffield Eagles for the 1895 Cup Final should add to that, though it is a slight bug-bear that it has been decided that they will face each other following the main event rather than as a curtain raiser. The RFL’s obsession with double and triple header events continues, but anyone expecting the majority of Saints or Wire fans to stay on after their fate has been decided is likely to be disappointed. Win or lose both sets of fans face a long trip back up north following the final. Even the considerably shorter journey home from Bolton after the semi-final was motivation for most Hull FC and Warrington fans to disappear sharpish after their game ended at the weekend. The case against playing the 1895 Cup Final first is the commendable need to stick with tradition and stage the under-11s schoolboy final as a pre-cursor. But would an earlier start for that game and the Saints-Warrington clash have messed with tradition too much? If you think so, then perhaps you also might consider that the 1895 Cup Final should be scheduled for a different date entirely.
Weekly comment and analysis on all things Saints with perhaps the merest hint of bias...
Saints v Halifax - Preview
Have you ever waited 11 years for anything? Maybe an item of post that isn’t a bill or a dental appointment, a genuinely engaging performance by Johnny Depp or perhaps a truly original reality TV series that isn’t exclusively populated by what Charlie Brooker once called ‘look-at-me-turdholes’
If you have, Saints know how you feel as their wait for a first Challenge Cup final appearance since 2008 goes on. They have a gilt-edged, gift-wrappped, delivered by Fedex opportunity to end that wait this Saturday when they take on Halifax in the Coral Challenge Cup semi-final at the University Of Bolton Stadium (July 27, kick-off 4.30pm).
Saints coach Justin Holbrook caused seven kinds of uproar in sending a scratch side to go out and get murdered by London Broncos last weekend, and has predictably made several changes to his 19-man squad for this one. Lachlan Coote has a knee injury which he sustained in the July 12 win over Wigan but all of Johnny Lomax, Tommy Makinson, Kevin Naiqama, Mark Percival, Theo Fages, Alex Walmsley, James Roby and Luke Thompson return to the fold for this one.
Coote’s fullback role had been occupied by Jack Welsby at London and despite the defeat there the smart money was on Holbrook retaining the youngster in the role. However, Welsby has not made the selection which leaves Lomax as the most likely candidate to replace the Scotland international who has lit Saints up post-Barba. Makinson has some experience at fullback but with Adam Swift not named there is no obvious alternative to fill Makinson’s right-wing slot should Holbrook make that switch, so expect him to stay put to form a strong-looking three-quarter line alongside Naiqama, Percival and Regan Grace in front of Lomax. Danny Richardson will therefore probably retain his place in the halves, but it will be Fages who is most likely to partner him after Joseph Paulo had what used be referred to as a ‘Wilkin’ at Trailfinders. Which is perhaps a little unfair given the cast of characters that Paulo was asked to work alongside. With no fewer than 12 of what you would call Saints first choice 17 not on duty that day it was always going to be difficult for Paulo to make the proverbial silk purse from a sow’s ear. Though there was a pig’s ear in there somewhere, for sure.
Saints’ pack will also be formidable. Roby has not been seen since Saints less embarrassing golden point defeat at London in early June and with Aaron Smith not named that is an indicator that the veteran hooker is fit enough to start. Backing him up should be James Bentley who produced some great performances in the role during Roby’s absence. As things stand, he may have forced his way up the pecking order and into the role of Roby understudy. England props Walmsley and Thompson will also return, leaving Matty Lees to be content with a place on the bench alongside Bentley, one of Kyle Amor and Jack Ashworth as well as irrepressible card-magnet Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook. Morgan Knowles is named despite suggestions that he has a slight knock, while Paulo should also feature in the back three along with Peyroux. Matty Costello will hope to challenge for a place on the bench unless there is a doubt about the fitness of one of the backs.
Halifax’s main injury concern surrounds ageless stand-off Scott Murrell. He has been named in coach Simon Grix’s 19-man squad despite suffering whiplash in his side’s 28-28 draw with Championship on Sunday (July 21). Draws. Remember those? Elsewhere in the Fax Machine (I got that from the 1987 Challenge Cup Final programme, no really) former Catalans and Hull KR back rower or hooker Kevin Larroyer stands out while Will Sharp and Ben Kavanaugh are two more with fairly recent Super League experience. James Woodburn-Hall has been on the radar of many Super League clubs this year after some impressive performances at centre while his partner in that department is none other than former Saint Steve Tyrer. The 30-year-old was born in St.Helens before making his debut for the club in 2007, and says he will be at Wembley for the final regardless of the result in this one. Tyrer is now Halifax’s record points scorer with 1632 points since joining them in 2012 following spells with Widnes (three times) Celtic Crusaders and Salford. Reaching this final would probably top anything that he has achieved so far, even if it would severely interfere with his ability to enjoy the final with a beer in his hand.
Halifax’s cup run is all the more surprising for the fact that they have struggled somewhat in the league this season. They sit only eighth in a Championship that has been dominated by Toronto Wolfpack. Nevertheless they would have expected better from a campaign that has seen them record only nine league wins from 22 outings, with 12 defeats and that draw with Dewsbury last time out. They started the campaign with current Saints assistant coach Richard Marshall in charge but he was rather harshly dismissed in April after a four-year spell in which he led the side to the old Super 8s Qualifiers three times. It was not long before he was snapped up by Saints to replace Sean Long after he received an offer from rugby union. Halifax’s loss could yet turn out to be very much Saints’ gain, with emotions running high no doubt for him against his old side in such a monumental game for the West Yorkshire side.
Anyone predicting anything other than a Saints win has not been paying much attention to the form of these two sides this term. Despite last week’s setback, a different Saints side (quite literally in most positions) will approach this one and it would be an indescribable shock if we see anything other than an end to that tortuous 11-year wait for a day out at Wembley. Saints by 40.
Squads;
St Helens;
1. Jonny Lomax 2. Tommy Makinson 3. Kevin Naiqama 4. Mark Percival 5. Regan Grace 6. Theo Fages 7. Danny Richardson 8. Alex Walmsley 9. James Roby 10. Luke Thompson 12. Joseph Paulo 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook 15. Morgan Knowles 16. Kyle Amor 17. Dominique Peyroux 19. Matty Lees 20. Jack Ashworth 22. James Bentley 24. Matty Costello.
Halifax;
Ed Barber, Chester Butler, Cooper, Jacob Fairbank, Ben Johnston, Ben Kavanagh, Ben Kaye, Kevin Larroyer, Brandon Moore, Elliot Morris, Scott Murrell, Shaun Robinson, James Saltonstall, Will Sharp, Adam Tangata, Steve Tyrer, James Woodburn-Hall.
Referee: Chris Kendall
If you have, Saints know how you feel as their wait for a first Challenge Cup final appearance since 2008 goes on. They have a gilt-edged, gift-wrappped, delivered by Fedex opportunity to end that wait this Saturday when they take on Halifax in the Coral Challenge Cup semi-final at the University Of Bolton Stadium (July 27, kick-off 4.30pm).
Saints coach Justin Holbrook caused seven kinds of uproar in sending a scratch side to go out and get murdered by London Broncos last weekend, and has predictably made several changes to his 19-man squad for this one. Lachlan Coote has a knee injury which he sustained in the July 12 win over Wigan but all of Johnny Lomax, Tommy Makinson, Kevin Naiqama, Mark Percival, Theo Fages, Alex Walmsley, James Roby and Luke Thompson return to the fold for this one.
Coote’s fullback role had been occupied by Jack Welsby at London and despite the defeat there the smart money was on Holbrook retaining the youngster in the role. However, Welsby has not made the selection which leaves Lomax as the most likely candidate to replace the Scotland international who has lit Saints up post-Barba. Makinson has some experience at fullback but with Adam Swift not named there is no obvious alternative to fill Makinson’s right-wing slot should Holbrook make that switch, so expect him to stay put to form a strong-looking three-quarter line alongside Naiqama, Percival and Regan Grace in front of Lomax. Danny Richardson will therefore probably retain his place in the halves, but it will be Fages who is most likely to partner him after Joseph Paulo had what used be referred to as a ‘Wilkin’ at Trailfinders. Which is perhaps a little unfair given the cast of characters that Paulo was asked to work alongside. With no fewer than 12 of what you would call Saints first choice 17 not on duty that day it was always going to be difficult for Paulo to make the proverbial silk purse from a sow’s ear. Though there was a pig’s ear in there somewhere, for sure.
Saints’ pack will also be formidable. Roby has not been seen since Saints less embarrassing golden point defeat at London in early June and with Aaron Smith not named that is an indicator that the veteran hooker is fit enough to start. Backing him up should be James Bentley who produced some great performances in the role during Roby’s absence. As things stand, he may have forced his way up the pecking order and into the role of Roby understudy. England props Walmsley and Thompson will also return, leaving Matty Lees to be content with a place on the bench alongside Bentley, one of Kyle Amor and Jack Ashworth as well as irrepressible card-magnet Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook. Morgan Knowles is named despite suggestions that he has a slight knock, while Paulo should also feature in the back three along with Peyroux. Matty Costello will hope to challenge for a place on the bench unless there is a doubt about the fitness of one of the backs.
Halifax’s main injury concern surrounds ageless stand-off Scott Murrell. He has been named in coach Simon Grix’s 19-man squad despite suffering whiplash in his side’s 28-28 draw with Championship on Sunday (July 21). Draws. Remember those? Elsewhere in the Fax Machine (I got that from the 1987 Challenge Cup Final programme, no really) former Catalans and Hull KR back rower or hooker Kevin Larroyer stands out while Will Sharp and Ben Kavanaugh are two more with fairly recent Super League experience. James Woodburn-Hall has been on the radar of many Super League clubs this year after some impressive performances at centre while his partner in that department is none other than former Saint Steve Tyrer. The 30-year-old was born in St.Helens before making his debut for the club in 2007, and says he will be at Wembley for the final regardless of the result in this one. Tyrer is now Halifax’s record points scorer with 1632 points since joining them in 2012 following spells with Widnes (three times) Celtic Crusaders and Salford. Reaching this final would probably top anything that he has achieved so far, even if it would severely interfere with his ability to enjoy the final with a beer in his hand.
Halifax’s cup run is all the more surprising for the fact that they have struggled somewhat in the league this season. They sit only eighth in a Championship that has been dominated by Toronto Wolfpack. Nevertheless they would have expected better from a campaign that has seen them record only nine league wins from 22 outings, with 12 defeats and that draw with Dewsbury last time out. They started the campaign with current Saints assistant coach Richard Marshall in charge but he was rather harshly dismissed in April after a four-year spell in which he led the side to the old Super 8s Qualifiers three times. It was not long before he was snapped up by Saints to replace Sean Long after he received an offer from rugby union. Halifax’s loss could yet turn out to be very much Saints’ gain, with emotions running high no doubt for him against his old side in such a monumental game for the West Yorkshire side.
Anyone predicting anything other than a Saints win has not been paying much attention to the form of these two sides this term. Despite last week’s setback, a different Saints side (quite literally in most positions) will approach this one and it would be an indescribable shock if we see anything other than an end to that tortuous 11-year wait for a day out at Wembley. Saints by 40.
Squads;
St Helens;
1. Jonny Lomax 2. Tommy Makinson 3. Kevin Naiqama 4. Mark Percival 5. Regan Grace 6. Theo Fages 7. Danny Richardson 8. Alex Walmsley 9. James Roby 10. Luke Thompson 12. Joseph Paulo 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook 15. Morgan Knowles 16. Kyle Amor 17. Dominique Peyroux 19. Matty Lees 20. Jack Ashworth 22. James Bentley 24. Matty Costello.
Halifax;
Ed Barber, Chester Butler, Cooper, Jacob Fairbank, Ben Johnston, Ben Kavanagh, Ben Kaye, Kevin Larroyer, Brandon Moore, Elliot Morris, Scott Murrell, Shaun Robinson, James Saltonstall, Will Sharp, Adam Tangata, Steve Tyrer, James Woodburn-Hall.
Referee: Chris Kendall
London Broncos v St Helens - Preview
Saints go in search of one of the three wins they need to wrap up another League Leaders Shield when they visit London Broncos in a Betfred Super League Round 23 clash on Sunday afternoon (July 21, kick-off 3.00pm).
Coach Justin Holbrook managed to take some of the attention away from his own future by announcing early in the week that he would rest ‘at least nine or ten’ of his first team players for the trip south. True to his word, he has named four potential debutants in his 19-man party with all of Lachlan Coote, Tommy Makinson, Kevin Naiqama, Mark Percival, Jonny Lomax, Theo Fages, Alex Walmsley and Luke Thompson left out. James Roby has not yet returned from having surgery which has kept him out for the last month or so and won’t be back either, while Zeb Taia is still unavailable with a shoulder problem. All of which leaves room in the squad for the untested quartet of loose forward Callum Hazzard, halfback Lewis Dodd, hooker Josh Eaves and centre Josh Simm.
Attempting to work out exactly who will make the final line-up is a bit of a mug’s game, but being a seasoned mug of some repute I’m happy to give it a go. Jack Welsby is recalled for the first time since Saints lost 23-22 on their last visit to London in early June (I know…loop fixtures…..) and looks the prime candidate for the fullback role vacated by Coote. Makinson’s right wing berth will go to Adam Swift in his final season as a Saint, a chance for him to add to his fine record of 86 tries in 128 appearances. Regan Grace is not one of those rested by Holbrook and should start on the other wing, with Simm perhaps forming a centre partnership with Matty Costello.
In the halves Dodd has a more than fair chance of starting alongside Danny Richardson, 2018 Dream Team member and recent Saints first team exile. James Bentley has been doing a sterling job at hooker in the last few weeks but Holbrook also has Aaron Smith to call on as well as Eaves in that position. Dominique Peyroux is named in the 19 but was among those mentioned by Holbrook when he listed those who probably would not play. Should that be the case Morgan Knowles may be partnered in the second row by Joe Batchelor, with Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook at loose forward. Matty Lees, Kyle Amor and Jack Ashworth are the only other three recognised props so McCarthy-Scarsbrook may yet be needed there which could allow Hazzard his opportunity. Joseph Paulo is in the squad after missing last week’s derby win over Wigan but with all this resting and wrapping in cotton wool going on it would be a surprise if he is rushed back from his calf injury with the Coral Challenge Cup semi-final meeting with Halifax looming next weekend.
London have made just one change to their squad and it involves an on-loan Saint who would ironically have come in very handy given the raft of changes made by Holbrook. Ryan Morgan is out and will be replaced by the returning Olsi Krasniqi. Alex Walker and Rob Butler missed last week’s 35-22 defeat at Hull FC and could be in line for a return for a Broncos side that is potentially in the unusual position of having to deal with the favourites tag. What success they have had this season has been achieved in the knowledge that nobody expects them to win from week to week, much less escape relegation. Yet if Saints throw in all of their new blood the expectation will be all on London to put the youngsters in their place.
Key to that will be men like Rhys Williams, Elliot Kear and Kieran Dixon in the backs, along with Jordan Abdull in the halves. Morgan Smith dropped the winning goal at Trailfinders in the Broncos golden-point win a month ago but is currently out. Expect James Cunningham to again be influential at hooker or scrum half along with forwards Eddie Battye, Jay Pitts and Luke Yates. Former Saint Greg Richards is a Grand Final winner from our 2014 vintage under Nathan Brown.
And so to the thorny question of the rights, wrongs and not-so-sures of Holbrook’s selection. There were no complaints when Saints played at London without Coote, Lomax, Makinson, Walmsley and Taia In June. The timing of it, with just six games left and so much closer to the hour of reckoning for the other clubs involved with London in the relegation scrap has certainly had some influence on their reaction to it. Yet this Tinkerman-ery is on a different level if we see four debutants and almost twice as many absent regulars as we saw in June. Added to that, the senior players who have been retained are not the real star quality game changers of the back-line or the front row. The best of them is probably Knowles, but he is not winning any game by himself. Richardson’s selection could go either way too. The young half could take umbrage at having been thrown in with a much weakened squad, or he could see it as an opportunity to remind the coach of his capabilities just ahead of the run towards the playoffs and, hopefully, a Wembley final. It is possible for Holbrook to pick a 17 capable of winning this game, but equally, it is possible that he will expose the young players to what could turn out to be a miserable debut experience which doesn’t seem to do anybody any good.
What will not be a concern is the grumbling coming from elsewhere in Super League. Fans of Hull KR, Huddersfield, Leeds and maybe now even Wakefield will be fretting about Saints’ line-up. They will view it as unduly interfering with the battle going on to avoid the drop to the Championship. Yet the counter-argument is that Saints, 10 points clear at the top of the table and in about as much danger of moving anywhere as Donald Trump, have earned the right to rest their star turns. The memories of last season, when Holbrook went with the same group of players on a much more consistent basis only to see them falter in both semi-finals, is enough to persuade many that the changes are being made for the right reasons and that the aim is not to disrespect the competition or in any way influence the relegation issue. Those involved in that little scrap will have had 29 games of their own by the end of the regular season to save themselves, and should they fail to do so they would be well advised to look squarely in the mirror.
Yet if I’m honest fielding a severely weakened team, should that happen, does not sit well with me. All it does is highlight the absolute folly of a league system which fails so palpably to reward the most consistent side throughout the regular season. If we were playing under the old ‘first past the post rules’ which governed the top flight throughout most of my early years watching rugby league then I dare say a few of those with their feet up this weekend would have been pressed into action. The system allows it, which doesn’t really do the image of the game too much good. Equally, the likes of Hull FC and Catalans Dragons and arguably even Wigan have been doddering along at their own pace all year yet still retain hopes of reaching the Grand Final and taking the prize at Saints expense. If Holbrook has it in his power to do something to reduce the chances of that happening then perhaps exercising that power will produce a just result in the end.
For now it is all guess work, which is pretty much all you can say about how Saints might line-up and further, how they might get on against Danny Ward’s side. Pride suggests they will put the effort in. The defeat in June will have stung and those involved in that game who have been included again this time will no doubt have that somewhere in the recesses of their minds. Yet with bookmakers everywhere shortening the odds on London to pull off a second victory of the season over the table-toppers the whole thing just has a bad feel about it from a Saints standpoint. London by eight.
Squads;
London Broncos;
1. Alex Walker 2. Rhys Williams 3. Ben Hellewell 4. Elliott Kear 5. Kieran Dixon 6. Jordan Abdull 7. James Cunningham 8. Eddie Battye 10. Mark Ioane 12. Jay Pitts 13. Sadiq Adibiyi 14. Matty Fozard 15. Greg Richards 16. Matt Gee 17. Matty Fleming 20. Luke Yates 23. Rob Butler 26. Sam Davis 30. Olsi Krasniqi
St Helens;
5. Regan Grace 7. Danny Richardson 12. Joseph Paulo 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook 15. Morgan Knowles 16. Kyle Amor 17. Dominique Peyroux 18. Adam Swift 19. Matty Lees 20. Jack Ashworth 21. Aaron Smith 22. James Bentley 24. Matty Costello 25. Joe Batchelor 27. Josh Eaves 28. Callum Hazard 29. Jack Welsby 30. Josh Simm 31. Lewis Dodd
Referee: Tom Grant
Coach Justin Holbrook managed to take some of the attention away from his own future by announcing early in the week that he would rest ‘at least nine or ten’ of his first team players for the trip south. True to his word, he has named four potential debutants in his 19-man party with all of Lachlan Coote, Tommy Makinson, Kevin Naiqama, Mark Percival, Jonny Lomax, Theo Fages, Alex Walmsley and Luke Thompson left out. James Roby has not yet returned from having surgery which has kept him out for the last month or so and won’t be back either, while Zeb Taia is still unavailable with a shoulder problem. All of which leaves room in the squad for the untested quartet of loose forward Callum Hazzard, halfback Lewis Dodd, hooker Josh Eaves and centre Josh Simm.
Attempting to work out exactly who will make the final line-up is a bit of a mug’s game, but being a seasoned mug of some repute I’m happy to give it a go. Jack Welsby is recalled for the first time since Saints lost 23-22 on their last visit to London in early June (I know…loop fixtures…..) and looks the prime candidate for the fullback role vacated by Coote. Makinson’s right wing berth will go to Adam Swift in his final season as a Saint, a chance for him to add to his fine record of 86 tries in 128 appearances. Regan Grace is not one of those rested by Holbrook and should start on the other wing, with Simm perhaps forming a centre partnership with Matty Costello.
In the halves Dodd has a more than fair chance of starting alongside Danny Richardson, 2018 Dream Team member and recent Saints first team exile. James Bentley has been doing a sterling job at hooker in the last few weeks but Holbrook also has Aaron Smith to call on as well as Eaves in that position. Dominique Peyroux is named in the 19 but was among those mentioned by Holbrook when he listed those who probably would not play. Should that be the case Morgan Knowles may be partnered in the second row by Joe Batchelor, with Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook at loose forward. Matty Lees, Kyle Amor and Jack Ashworth are the only other three recognised props so McCarthy-Scarsbrook may yet be needed there which could allow Hazzard his opportunity. Joseph Paulo is in the squad after missing last week’s derby win over Wigan but with all this resting and wrapping in cotton wool going on it would be a surprise if he is rushed back from his calf injury with the Coral Challenge Cup semi-final meeting with Halifax looming next weekend.
London have made just one change to their squad and it involves an on-loan Saint who would ironically have come in very handy given the raft of changes made by Holbrook. Ryan Morgan is out and will be replaced by the returning Olsi Krasniqi. Alex Walker and Rob Butler missed last week’s 35-22 defeat at Hull FC and could be in line for a return for a Broncos side that is potentially in the unusual position of having to deal with the favourites tag. What success they have had this season has been achieved in the knowledge that nobody expects them to win from week to week, much less escape relegation. Yet if Saints throw in all of their new blood the expectation will be all on London to put the youngsters in their place.
Key to that will be men like Rhys Williams, Elliot Kear and Kieran Dixon in the backs, along with Jordan Abdull in the halves. Morgan Smith dropped the winning goal at Trailfinders in the Broncos golden-point win a month ago but is currently out. Expect James Cunningham to again be influential at hooker or scrum half along with forwards Eddie Battye, Jay Pitts and Luke Yates. Former Saint Greg Richards is a Grand Final winner from our 2014 vintage under Nathan Brown.
And so to the thorny question of the rights, wrongs and not-so-sures of Holbrook’s selection. There were no complaints when Saints played at London without Coote, Lomax, Makinson, Walmsley and Taia In June. The timing of it, with just six games left and so much closer to the hour of reckoning for the other clubs involved with London in the relegation scrap has certainly had some influence on their reaction to it. Yet this Tinkerman-ery is on a different level if we see four debutants and almost twice as many absent regulars as we saw in June. Added to that, the senior players who have been retained are not the real star quality game changers of the back-line or the front row. The best of them is probably Knowles, but he is not winning any game by himself. Richardson’s selection could go either way too. The young half could take umbrage at having been thrown in with a much weakened squad, or he could see it as an opportunity to remind the coach of his capabilities just ahead of the run towards the playoffs and, hopefully, a Wembley final. It is possible for Holbrook to pick a 17 capable of winning this game, but equally, it is possible that he will expose the young players to what could turn out to be a miserable debut experience which doesn’t seem to do anybody any good.
What will not be a concern is the grumbling coming from elsewhere in Super League. Fans of Hull KR, Huddersfield, Leeds and maybe now even Wakefield will be fretting about Saints’ line-up. They will view it as unduly interfering with the battle going on to avoid the drop to the Championship. Yet the counter-argument is that Saints, 10 points clear at the top of the table and in about as much danger of moving anywhere as Donald Trump, have earned the right to rest their star turns. The memories of last season, when Holbrook went with the same group of players on a much more consistent basis only to see them falter in both semi-finals, is enough to persuade many that the changes are being made for the right reasons and that the aim is not to disrespect the competition or in any way influence the relegation issue. Those involved in that little scrap will have had 29 games of their own by the end of the regular season to save themselves, and should they fail to do so they would be well advised to look squarely in the mirror.
Yet if I’m honest fielding a severely weakened team, should that happen, does not sit well with me. All it does is highlight the absolute folly of a league system which fails so palpably to reward the most consistent side throughout the regular season. If we were playing under the old ‘first past the post rules’ which governed the top flight throughout most of my early years watching rugby league then I dare say a few of those with their feet up this weekend would have been pressed into action. The system allows it, which doesn’t really do the image of the game too much good. Equally, the likes of Hull FC and Catalans Dragons and arguably even Wigan have been doddering along at their own pace all year yet still retain hopes of reaching the Grand Final and taking the prize at Saints expense. If Holbrook has it in his power to do something to reduce the chances of that happening then perhaps exercising that power will produce a just result in the end.
For now it is all guess work, which is pretty much all you can say about how Saints might line-up and further, how they might get on against Danny Ward’s side. Pride suggests they will put the effort in. The defeat in June will have stung and those involved in that game who have been included again this time will no doubt have that somewhere in the recesses of their minds. Yet with bookmakers everywhere shortening the odds on London to pull off a second victory of the season over the table-toppers the whole thing just has a bad feel about it from a Saints standpoint. London by eight.
Squads;
London Broncos;
1. Alex Walker 2. Rhys Williams 3. Ben Hellewell 4. Elliott Kear 5. Kieran Dixon 6. Jordan Abdull 7. James Cunningham 8. Eddie Battye 10. Mark Ioane 12. Jay Pitts 13. Sadiq Adibiyi 14. Matty Fozard 15. Greg Richards 16. Matt Gee 17. Matty Fleming 20. Luke Yates 23. Rob Butler 26. Sam Davis 30. Olsi Krasniqi
St Helens;
5. Regan Grace 7. Danny Richardson 12. Joseph Paulo 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook 15. Morgan Knowles 16. Kyle Amor 17. Dominique Peyroux 18. Adam Swift 19. Matty Lees 20. Jack Ashworth 21. Aaron Smith 22. James Bentley 24. Matty Costello 25. Joe Batchelor 27. Josh Eaves 28. Callum Hazard 29. Jack Welsby 30. Josh Simm 31. Lewis Dodd
Referee: Tom Grant
5 Talking Points From Saints 32 Wigan Warriors 10
Back In Your Box
Leading into this one Wigan had been undergoing something of a revival. A five-game winning streak had rocketed them back into the top four. A Super League title defence that had been nothing short of embarrassing was gaining a fair amount of respectability. The thing about this league is that you only have to finish in the top five to have a crack at making Old Trafford via the playoff series. Leeds have twice won the Grand Final from fifth and it was victory over the Rhinos that sparked Wigan’s winning run as Hull KR (twice), Huddersfield and Salford were all vanquished. The Wigan fans were excited by their prospects, noting that their trip to Saints would be a good test of their credentials.
Some social media voices were particularly loud, promising Grand Final success and another appearance in a World Club Challenge. All that may still happen, but on the evidence of this second gear stroll over the old enemy it is a lot further away from reality than many cherry and whites had hoped and believed. Unwilling to give any ground despite the ease with which they were tossed aside like Boris Johnson tossing aside a policy that has become inconvenient to his bumble towards Downing Street, some Wigan fans insisted that the lack of senior forwards was the sole reason for their downfall. But men like Tony Clubb, Ben Flower, Joe Greenwood and Sean O’Loughlin have been key players in the shit show that has been Wigan’s 2019 campaign to this point. What makes anyone think that when this group of under-achieving chancers return they will set the world on fire? The old ‘we had injuries’ argument is the last refuge of the desperate and one that completely ignores the fact that Saints were without an all-time great in James Roby and one of the best back rowers in the competition over the last two years in Zeb Taia.
It’s important to win with a bit of humility and class, something which Wigan fans have been infamously and palpably incapable of since their domination of the sport in my 80s childhood. The fact that they still can’t accept their failings in the aftermath of this half-arsed, routine spanking is one of the reasons their club is so unpopular not just with Saints fans but with most fans around the country. They need to get back in their box until they have proved that they have a team that is anywhere near Saints’ level.
Saints Attack Off Key
The terrifying thing if you’re a Wigan fan is that despite winning by 22 points Saints didn’t play anywhere near their best. Had the attack had it’s usual fluency and poise Justin Holbrook’s side could easily have bettered the 40 points they rattled past Hull FC last week. In part because they had the bulk of possession Saints actually came up with just as many errors as Wigan, both sides coughing it up 16 times. Had it not been a full house with all the intensity and passion that brings, and had it been any other opposition than the noisy neighbours the game could quite fairly have been described as scrappy. Balls flew over sidelines with alarming regularity as the offensive timing of both teams consistently went awry.
Defence and the ability to take the chances that came their way proved the difference for Saints. On the face of it 36 missed tackles is an unimpressive statistic. Indeed it is worse than Wigan’s tally of 35. Holbrook may want to get the tackle bags out for an extended period in training this week especially for Kevin Naiqama and Dominique Peyroux who managed to butcher six each, with the usually reliable Morgan Knowles not far behind with four.
But despite these lapses it was Saints’ ability to stop Wigan making significant ground when they had the ball and the home side’s ability to defend their line which set them apart. James Bentley again deputised for Roby and turned in a very solid performance making 39 tackles while missing only two. That level of work rate meant that only Liam Farrell managed to break through the 100-metre barrier for Wigan. The next best efforts were from Zak Hardaker with 98 and George Williams with 88. Wigan’s pack, under-strength though it was, was monstered by Saints for whom Luke Thompson, Matty Lees and the impressive Kyle Amor all clocked up a century of metres made. Alex Walmsley almost joined them on 98. Collectively they laid a platform for Tommy Makinson to make 185, Mark Percival 116 and Jonny Lomax 102.
Was The TV Decision Vindicated?
The lack of television coverage of this one was a source of much chagrin among both the Saints and Wigan following in the days leading up to game. Sky chose instead to broadcast Hull FC’s game of two halves against London Broncos on Thursday and the relegation dogfight between Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR on Friday. It represented the first time in the summer era that a Saints-Wigan derby had not been televised. The outrage was loud and boring with scores of people lining up on social media with sorry tales about why they could not be there in person, as if fans of other clubs aren’t afflicted with the same work commitments, financial constraints and mobility issues as Saints and Wigan fans.
Doesn’t the bloke who works till 7.00pm on a Friday have the same right to be able to see his side play as his Saints or Wigan equivalents? Sky are not here to make sure Saints and Wigan fans who can’t attend can still see every game. For that to be the case the club would need to have broadcasting rights to its own games and show them on their own dedicated channel. Finances dictate that that won’t happen any time soon. The awful truth is that the game needs the cash injection that it receives from Sky if it wants to continue to operate at a fully professional level.
Their remit is to broadcast games which are in the best interests of the league and of fans of all clubs, not just an elite pair of bullies stamping their feet about the way things have always been. Leeds v Hull KR was an infinitely better, closer contest with far more riding on it and was a sound choice. The same cannot be said for the Hull-London game in all honesty but Thursday games are chosen far further in advance and so become more difficult to move. Had it been moved to make way for the derby the complaints would still have raged about having to play in the least popular time slot since the broadcaster experimented with Monday night games. We’re a spoiled generation of fans.
The absence of the Sky cameras offered a first opportunity to see a derby without the irritant of the video referee. It was all the better for it. How refreshing was it to be able to celebrate Saints’ five tries without immediately turning to look at a giant screen in the north east corner to make sure their isn’t some tiny discrepancy about to crush your joy? Video reviews have sucked the spontaneity out of the match-going experience, a fate that it will soon afflict on football. And it wasn’t as if Ben Thaler needed the help. Only Hardaker’s try would possibly have been subject to any scrutiny from the video referee. The Wigan fullback seemed to use his hands in charging down Lomax’s kick before dribbling his way to the line for the Warriors’ only try. Personally I’m prepared to give him and Thaler the benefit of the doubt on those calls if it means we have a faster flowing game and I can be back across Precky Bridge and in my car before 10.00pm.
Is Holbrook Going?
When weren’t debating the merits or otherwise of the Sky Sports schedules this week we were fretting about the future of Holbrook. A story broke early in the week linking the Saints coach to the Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL. Ordinarily this might be dismissed as the column-filling ravings of the Australian press but some of the quotes attributed to Holbrook on the matter are cause for concern. Where initially it seemed just a matter of time before Holbrook penned a new deal at Saints he has since admitted that the matter is in the hands of his management and that it will be resolved ‘in the next few weeks’.
This is quite a shift from Holbrook’s initial position which was that he was happy and didn’t want to go anywhere else. Flipping responsibility on to his management team might suggest that he has something to tell us that we won’t like. It looks like an attempt to distance himself from the decision about his own future, as if it’s somehow not his call to make. Sure I’d love to stay but you know....my management team....
Causing further unease are comments made immediately after this one by Holbrook. He spoke of how emotional it was for him to hear the Saints fans sing ‘we want you to stay’ as he and the players went to thank the fans at the end of the game. If he was intending to stay I venture to suggest that he would not be feeling that way. Even if he was feeling overwhelmed by the support he might at least have something reassuring to say. Losing Holbrook would be a shattering blow to Saints. His excellent work in rebuilding the confidence of this group of players has Saints on the cusp of the glory that should have been their’s a year ago. This should be the start of something, not the end of an era. A replacement would be found. Saints is a club of great reputation and coaching it is one of the top jobs in the sport. Yet whoever Eamonn McManus found to replace Holbrook would need time to bed in his own ideas, shape the squad to his liking and introduce a new philosophy. All of that could slow down the progress that has been made under Holbrook and the club must do everything in its power to avoid that scenario. Just how much power it has is something that is open to question.
Three More Wins.
Warrington’s hilarious feat of losing at home to Salford for the second time this season has all but sealed another League Leaders Shield for Holbrook and his troops. It means that Saints have a 10-point lead over the Wolves with just seven games of the regular season to play. My rudimentary grasp of maths suggests that Warrington can only reach a maximum of 44 points by then, meaning three more wins will be enough for another muted amble around the stadium formerly known as Langtree Park with the trophy disparagingly referred to by many as the hubcap. Usually by those whose teams aren’t about to win it for a second year in succession.
All the hard work is done. Victory over Wigan means that Saints have beaten all of the other top four sides at the start of Round 22 during the last three weeks. Of those only Warrington threatened to derail Saints’ charge to the line. Hull FC and Wigan were despatched with minimum fuss. Next up is a second visit of the season to inaccessible, quite-good-for-an-amateur-set-up Ealing Trailfinders to take on the Broncos. Saints might have revenge on their minds after a golden point loss there in June, one of only two regular season losses in 2019. But they must also balance that with the need to be ready for the Challenge Cup semi-final date with Halifax a week later. As unlikely as it is we do not want a repeat of last year when our hubris was our undoing in a traumatic thrashing by Catalans Dragons at Bolton. Wigan aren’t the only set of fans who are sometimes blind to their own fallibility.
Holbrook would be wise not to rush Roby back with Bentley and Aaron Smith doing such a fine job in his stead, while the cotton wool should probably come out for Lachlan Coote too after he was withdrawn 20 minutes from the end of this one as a precaution. Makinson and Lomax are also unlikely to be risked on a pitch that makes the Astro turf at Boundary Road look like the lush grass of Wembley Stadium. Yet even with those absences and with Taia still out with a shoulder injury Saints should have enough to secure the win against a London side that has shown signs of feeling the effects of a long season in recent weeks.
Leading into this one Wigan had been undergoing something of a revival. A five-game winning streak had rocketed them back into the top four. A Super League title defence that had been nothing short of embarrassing was gaining a fair amount of respectability. The thing about this league is that you only have to finish in the top five to have a crack at making Old Trafford via the playoff series. Leeds have twice won the Grand Final from fifth and it was victory over the Rhinos that sparked Wigan’s winning run as Hull KR (twice), Huddersfield and Salford were all vanquished. The Wigan fans were excited by their prospects, noting that their trip to Saints would be a good test of their credentials.
Some social media voices were particularly loud, promising Grand Final success and another appearance in a World Club Challenge. All that may still happen, but on the evidence of this second gear stroll over the old enemy it is a lot further away from reality than many cherry and whites had hoped and believed. Unwilling to give any ground despite the ease with which they were tossed aside like Boris Johnson tossing aside a policy that has become inconvenient to his bumble towards Downing Street, some Wigan fans insisted that the lack of senior forwards was the sole reason for their downfall. But men like Tony Clubb, Ben Flower, Joe Greenwood and Sean O’Loughlin have been key players in the shit show that has been Wigan’s 2019 campaign to this point. What makes anyone think that when this group of under-achieving chancers return they will set the world on fire? The old ‘we had injuries’ argument is the last refuge of the desperate and one that completely ignores the fact that Saints were without an all-time great in James Roby and one of the best back rowers in the competition over the last two years in Zeb Taia.
It’s important to win with a bit of humility and class, something which Wigan fans have been infamously and palpably incapable of since their domination of the sport in my 80s childhood. The fact that they still can’t accept their failings in the aftermath of this half-arsed, routine spanking is one of the reasons their club is so unpopular not just with Saints fans but with most fans around the country. They need to get back in their box until they have proved that they have a team that is anywhere near Saints’ level.
Saints Attack Off Key
The terrifying thing if you’re a Wigan fan is that despite winning by 22 points Saints didn’t play anywhere near their best. Had the attack had it’s usual fluency and poise Justin Holbrook’s side could easily have bettered the 40 points they rattled past Hull FC last week. In part because they had the bulk of possession Saints actually came up with just as many errors as Wigan, both sides coughing it up 16 times. Had it not been a full house with all the intensity and passion that brings, and had it been any other opposition than the noisy neighbours the game could quite fairly have been described as scrappy. Balls flew over sidelines with alarming regularity as the offensive timing of both teams consistently went awry.
Defence and the ability to take the chances that came their way proved the difference for Saints. On the face of it 36 missed tackles is an unimpressive statistic. Indeed it is worse than Wigan’s tally of 35. Holbrook may want to get the tackle bags out for an extended period in training this week especially for Kevin Naiqama and Dominique Peyroux who managed to butcher six each, with the usually reliable Morgan Knowles not far behind with four.
But despite these lapses it was Saints’ ability to stop Wigan making significant ground when they had the ball and the home side’s ability to defend their line which set them apart. James Bentley again deputised for Roby and turned in a very solid performance making 39 tackles while missing only two. That level of work rate meant that only Liam Farrell managed to break through the 100-metre barrier for Wigan. The next best efforts were from Zak Hardaker with 98 and George Williams with 88. Wigan’s pack, under-strength though it was, was monstered by Saints for whom Luke Thompson, Matty Lees and the impressive Kyle Amor all clocked up a century of metres made. Alex Walmsley almost joined them on 98. Collectively they laid a platform for Tommy Makinson to make 185, Mark Percival 116 and Jonny Lomax 102.
Was The TV Decision Vindicated?
The lack of television coverage of this one was a source of much chagrin among both the Saints and Wigan following in the days leading up to game. Sky chose instead to broadcast Hull FC’s game of two halves against London Broncos on Thursday and the relegation dogfight between Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR on Friday. It represented the first time in the summer era that a Saints-Wigan derby had not been televised. The outrage was loud and boring with scores of people lining up on social media with sorry tales about why they could not be there in person, as if fans of other clubs aren’t afflicted with the same work commitments, financial constraints and mobility issues as Saints and Wigan fans.
Doesn’t the bloke who works till 7.00pm on a Friday have the same right to be able to see his side play as his Saints or Wigan equivalents? Sky are not here to make sure Saints and Wigan fans who can’t attend can still see every game. For that to be the case the club would need to have broadcasting rights to its own games and show them on their own dedicated channel. Finances dictate that that won’t happen any time soon. The awful truth is that the game needs the cash injection that it receives from Sky if it wants to continue to operate at a fully professional level.
Their remit is to broadcast games which are in the best interests of the league and of fans of all clubs, not just an elite pair of bullies stamping their feet about the way things have always been. Leeds v Hull KR was an infinitely better, closer contest with far more riding on it and was a sound choice. The same cannot be said for the Hull-London game in all honesty but Thursday games are chosen far further in advance and so become more difficult to move. Had it been moved to make way for the derby the complaints would still have raged about having to play in the least popular time slot since the broadcaster experimented with Monday night games. We’re a spoiled generation of fans.
The absence of the Sky cameras offered a first opportunity to see a derby without the irritant of the video referee. It was all the better for it. How refreshing was it to be able to celebrate Saints’ five tries without immediately turning to look at a giant screen in the north east corner to make sure their isn’t some tiny discrepancy about to crush your joy? Video reviews have sucked the spontaneity out of the match-going experience, a fate that it will soon afflict on football. And it wasn’t as if Ben Thaler needed the help. Only Hardaker’s try would possibly have been subject to any scrutiny from the video referee. The Wigan fullback seemed to use his hands in charging down Lomax’s kick before dribbling his way to the line for the Warriors’ only try. Personally I’m prepared to give him and Thaler the benefit of the doubt on those calls if it means we have a faster flowing game and I can be back across Precky Bridge and in my car before 10.00pm.
Is Holbrook Going?
When weren’t debating the merits or otherwise of the Sky Sports schedules this week we were fretting about the future of Holbrook. A story broke early in the week linking the Saints coach to the Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL. Ordinarily this might be dismissed as the column-filling ravings of the Australian press but some of the quotes attributed to Holbrook on the matter are cause for concern. Where initially it seemed just a matter of time before Holbrook penned a new deal at Saints he has since admitted that the matter is in the hands of his management and that it will be resolved ‘in the next few weeks’.
This is quite a shift from Holbrook’s initial position which was that he was happy and didn’t want to go anywhere else. Flipping responsibility on to his management team might suggest that he has something to tell us that we won’t like. It looks like an attempt to distance himself from the decision about his own future, as if it’s somehow not his call to make. Sure I’d love to stay but you know....my management team....
Causing further unease are comments made immediately after this one by Holbrook. He spoke of how emotional it was for him to hear the Saints fans sing ‘we want you to stay’ as he and the players went to thank the fans at the end of the game. If he was intending to stay I venture to suggest that he would not be feeling that way. Even if he was feeling overwhelmed by the support he might at least have something reassuring to say. Losing Holbrook would be a shattering blow to Saints. His excellent work in rebuilding the confidence of this group of players has Saints on the cusp of the glory that should have been their’s a year ago. This should be the start of something, not the end of an era. A replacement would be found. Saints is a club of great reputation and coaching it is one of the top jobs in the sport. Yet whoever Eamonn McManus found to replace Holbrook would need time to bed in his own ideas, shape the squad to his liking and introduce a new philosophy. All of that could slow down the progress that has been made under Holbrook and the club must do everything in its power to avoid that scenario. Just how much power it has is something that is open to question.
Three More Wins.
Warrington’s hilarious feat of losing at home to Salford for the second time this season has all but sealed another League Leaders Shield for Holbrook and his troops. It means that Saints have a 10-point lead over the Wolves with just seven games of the regular season to play. My rudimentary grasp of maths suggests that Warrington can only reach a maximum of 44 points by then, meaning three more wins will be enough for another muted amble around the stadium formerly known as Langtree Park with the trophy disparagingly referred to by many as the hubcap. Usually by those whose teams aren’t about to win it for a second year in succession.
All the hard work is done. Victory over Wigan means that Saints have beaten all of the other top four sides at the start of Round 22 during the last three weeks. Of those only Warrington threatened to derail Saints’ charge to the line. Hull FC and Wigan were despatched with minimum fuss. Next up is a second visit of the season to inaccessible, quite-good-for-an-amateur-set-up Ealing Trailfinders to take on the Broncos. Saints might have revenge on their minds after a golden point loss there in June, one of only two regular season losses in 2019. But they must also balance that with the need to be ready for the Challenge Cup semi-final date with Halifax a week later. As unlikely as it is we do not want a repeat of last year when our hubris was our undoing in a traumatic thrashing by Catalans Dragons at Bolton. Wigan aren’t the only set of fans who are sometimes blind to their own fallibility.
Holbrook would be wise not to rush Roby back with Bentley and Aaron Smith doing such a fine job in his stead, while the cotton wool should probably come out for Lachlan Coote too after he was withdrawn 20 minutes from the end of this one as a precaution. Makinson and Lomax are also unlikely to be risked on a pitch that makes the Astro turf at Boundary Road look like the lush grass of Wembley Stadium. Yet even with those absences and with Taia still out with a shoulder injury Saints should have enough to secure the win against a London side that has shown signs of feeling the effects of a long season in recent weeks.
St Helens v Wigan - Preview
Saints look to take a step closer to sealing another League Leaders Shield when they host Wigan Warriors in a Betfred Super League Round 22 clash on Friday night (July 12, kick-off 7.45pm).
Unlike all of the previous meetings between these two old foes in the Super League era this one is not available to view from the comfort of your armchair. With Leeds Rhinos still struggling to avoid relegation to the Championship Sky have chosen to broadcast their meeting with the similarly threatened Hull KR instead. This has been the cause of much whining and screaming from fans of Saints and Wigan, outraged that their 743rd squabble of another Every Minute Matters campaign has been snubbed. If there is a question for Sky to answer it is about why they have chosen Hull v London Broncos for live broadcast ahead of the derby. Yet broadly it is A Good Thing that Super League TV audiences will be served an alternative to what has by now become routine.
In fact, were it not for Wigan’s recent upturn in fortunes the whole episode would be in real danger of drowning in its own meh-ery. Saints are not only over the hills but several fields away from all others in what used to be the race to finish top of the pile. A defeat to their nearest and dearest would see their supremacy over Adrian Lam’s side cut to a mere 14 points. That’s seven wins which in a 29-game season is...well....you do the maths as they now say.
The only thing giving this one an edge is the fact that Wigan have picked up wins in their last five and have risen above the mediocrity that engulfs the rest of the league to move into a faintly respectable fourth position. But while two wins over Hull KR and victories over Huddersfield, Salford and the Rhinos are not enough to convince me that the Warriors are a clear and present danger to Saints’ ambitions the Wigan faithful disagree. They have flooded social media with talk of a late bid for Grand Final glory and of plans for another World Club Challenge. They are buoyed further by the announcement this week that Jackson Hastings will join them from Salford next season. The buzz around that has even dampened any negativity around George Williams finally announcing his decision to move to Canberra Raiders. Throw in a new one-year deal for Lam and anticipation hasn’t been this high in Wigan since The Verve played Haigh Hall in 1998. All of which has at least whetted the appetite for putting them back in their box.
Justin Holbrook has spent much of the week fielding questions about his own future. It being a whole year since they made an attempt to derail Saints’ season so the Australian press got to work this week by linking Holbrook to a currently struggling Canterbury Bulldogs side. More vague quotes in the press from Holbrook about how things will be resolved ‘in the next few weeks’ have done nothing to ease our anxiety around his position, especially since a new contract seemed a formality a week or two ago. Holbrook has re-introduced the winning culture that went temporarily AWOL towards the end of the Kieron Cunningham reign. To lose him now would be a shattering blow, particularly since it looks ever more likely with each passing week that his hard work will come into fruition in 2019.
Taking time out from gossip and interrogation to name his 19-man squad Holbrook has made two changes to the party which travelled to and won impressively at Hull FC last week. Most significant is the return of James Roby after a four-week injury absence. Holbrook is not yet certain whether Roby will be fit enough to start the game but that’s ok since the other change sees back-up hooker Aaron Smith return after suffering a concussion at Warrington a fortnight ago. The men to make way are Joseph Paulo who has a calf strain along with centre Matty Costello.
Paulo’s absence could mean that James Bentley will see some action in the back row. The former Bradford Bull has been deputising for Robyn and Smith at hooker over the last two weeks but will look to challenge for a back row spot along with Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook with Zeb Taia still sidelined with a shoulder problem. Morgan Knowles and Dominique Peyroux pick themselves in that area of the team, while whichever of Roby and Smith gets the nod will be flanked by the twin threat of Luke Thompson and Alex Walmsley in a formidable front three. They are backed up by Matty Lees, Kyle Amor and Jack Ashworth who would all start for many Super League clubs.
At the back Saints seem fairly settled. Lachlan Coote will be the last line of defence behind a three-quarter line of Tommy Makinson, Kevin Naiqama, Mark Percival and Regan Grace, with Hull-bound Adam Swift also named in the party. Jonny Lomax has been Saints’ most influential creative force along with Coote this year and will again indulge in some weapons grade string-pulling alongside Theo Fages in the halves.
Lam’s ranks were boosted recently by the return of Liams Farrell and Marshall. Farrell has long been a vital cog in the machine, one of the few links to a time when the Warriors could boast a truly dominant pack. Meanwhile Marshall helped himself to a hat-trick in the 52-10 pummelling of Rovers last time out. He will line up opposite Joe Burgess with Oliver Gildart and the outgoing Dan Sarginson forming the centre partnership. Behind them Zak Hardaker is at last making more headlines on the field than off it. Williams will partner Thomas Leuluai in the halves, a stuttering alliance which represents another key area where Saints have the edge. If Wigan need a change in that area then responsibility will likely fall on inconsistent, injury-prone poor man’s Rangi Chase Jarrod Sammut.
Farrell apart Wigan’s pack looks outmatched by Saints’. Tony Clubb is a grandly over-rated individual who has in any case seen better days, while Romain Navarette is as likely to cough up possession as he is to get over the line to gain and make metres. Between them Sam Powell is reliable enough but about as far away from Roby as it is possible to be without actually being Tommy Lee. Joe Bullock is a prop of great promise but lacks the experience to take on Thompson and Walmsley if Clubb and Navarette aren’t hitting their very best form. Willie Isa will have a key role, albeit one likely to involve a lot of rule-breaking. I wonder if those let down by this week’s TV choices have considered how fascinating it will be to see this one played out without a video referee for the first time in 23 years.
Outside of that little lot and with Sean O’Loughlin taking his traditional late season break before the playoffs Wigan will be relying on youth. As well as Bullock, Oliver Partington, Morgan Smithies, Jake Shorrocks, Chris Hankinson and Liam Byrne are all in Lam’s 19-man selection.
Saints and Wigan have met twice already this season. Opening night saw Saints record a 22-12 home win before they eased to a 36-10 success on Good Friday. Social media bluster and TV-related rows aside there’s no reason to expect anything other than another Saints win in what the Saints marketing team are insisting on referring to as Bad Friday. Indeed. It doesn’t get any worse. Thankfully we have a great team on the field. Saints by 20.
Squads;
St Helens;
Jonny Lomax 2. Tommy Makinson 3. Kevin Naiqama 4. Mark Percival 5. Regan Grace 6. Theo Fages 8. Alex Walmsley 9. James Roby 10. Luke Thompson 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook 15. Morgan Knowles 16. Kyle Amor 17. Dominique Peyroux 18. Adam Swift 19. Matty Lees 20. Jack Ashworth 21. Aaron Smith 22. James Bentley 23. Lachlan Coote
Wigan Warriors;
3. Dan Sarginson 4. Oliver Gildart 5. Joe Burgess 6. George Williams 7. Thomas Leuluai 8. Tony Clubb 9. Sam Powell 12 Liam Farrell 14. Romain Navarette 15. Willie Isa 17. Liam Marshall 20. Zak Hardaker 22. Joe Bullock 23. Chris Hankinson 24. Oliver Partington 27. Jarrod Sammut 36. Liam Byrne 37. Jake Shorrocks 38. Morgan Smithies
Referee: Ben Thaler
Unlike all of the previous meetings between these two old foes in the Super League era this one is not available to view from the comfort of your armchair. With Leeds Rhinos still struggling to avoid relegation to the Championship Sky have chosen to broadcast their meeting with the similarly threatened Hull KR instead. This has been the cause of much whining and screaming from fans of Saints and Wigan, outraged that their 743rd squabble of another Every Minute Matters campaign has been snubbed. If there is a question for Sky to answer it is about why they have chosen Hull v London Broncos for live broadcast ahead of the derby. Yet broadly it is A Good Thing that Super League TV audiences will be served an alternative to what has by now become routine.
In fact, were it not for Wigan’s recent upturn in fortunes the whole episode would be in real danger of drowning in its own meh-ery. Saints are not only over the hills but several fields away from all others in what used to be the race to finish top of the pile. A defeat to their nearest and dearest would see their supremacy over Adrian Lam’s side cut to a mere 14 points. That’s seven wins which in a 29-game season is...well....you do the maths as they now say.
The only thing giving this one an edge is the fact that Wigan have picked up wins in their last five and have risen above the mediocrity that engulfs the rest of the league to move into a faintly respectable fourth position. But while two wins over Hull KR and victories over Huddersfield, Salford and the Rhinos are not enough to convince me that the Warriors are a clear and present danger to Saints’ ambitions the Wigan faithful disagree. They have flooded social media with talk of a late bid for Grand Final glory and of plans for another World Club Challenge. They are buoyed further by the announcement this week that Jackson Hastings will join them from Salford next season. The buzz around that has even dampened any negativity around George Williams finally announcing his decision to move to Canberra Raiders. Throw in a new one-year deal for Lam and anticipation hasn’t been this high in Wigan since The Verve played Haigh Hall in 1998. All of which has at least whetted the appetite for putting them back in their box.
Justin Holbrook has spent much of the week fielding questions about his own future. It being a whole year since they made an attempt to derail Saints’ season so the Australian press got to work this week by linking Holbrook to a currently struggling Canterbury Bulldogs side. More vague quotes in the press from Holbrook about how things will be resolved ‘in the next few weeks’ have done nothing to ease our anxiety around his position, especially since a new contract seemed a formality a week or two ago. Holbrook has re-introduced the winning culture that went temporarily AWOL towards the end of the Kieron Cunningham reign. To lose him now would be a shattering blow, particularly since it looks ever more likely with each passing week that his hard work will come into fruition in 2019.
Taking time out from gossip and interrogation to name his 19-man squad Holbrook has made two changes to the party which travelled to and won impressively at Hull FC last week. Most significant is the return of James Roby after a four-week injury absence. Holbrook is not yet certain whether Roby will be fit enough to start the game but that’s ok since the other change sees back-up hooker Aaron Smith return after suffering a concussion at Warrington a fortnight ago. The men to make way are Joseph Paulo who has a calf strain along with centre Matty Costello.
Paulo’s absence could mean that James Bentley will see some action in the back row. The former Bradford Bull has been deputising for Robyn and Smith at hooker over the last two weeks but will look to challenge for a back row spot along with Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook with Zeb Taia still sidelined with a shoulder problem. Morgan Knowles and Dominique Peyroux pick themselves in that area of the team, while whichever of Roby and Smith gets the nod will be flanked by the twin threat of Luke Thompson and Alex Walmsley in a formidable front three. They are backed up by Matty Lees, Kyle Amor and Jack Ashworth who would all start for many Super League clubs.
At the back Saints seem fairly settled. Lachlan Coote will be the last line of defence behind a three-quarter line of Tommy Makinson, Kevin Naiqama, Mark Percival and Regan Grace, with Hull-bound Adam Swift also named in the party. Jonny Lomax has been Saints’ most influential creative force along with Coote this year and will again indulge in some weapons grade string-pulling alongside Theo Fages in the halves.
Lam’s ranks were boosted recently by the return of Liams Farrell and Marshall. Farrell has long been a vital cog in the machine, one of the few links to a time when the Warriors could boast a truly dominant pack. Meanwhile Marshall helped himself to a hat-trick in the 52-10 pummelling of Rovers last time out. He will line up opposite Joe Burgess with Oliver Gildart and the outgoing Dan Sarginson forming the centre partnership. Behind them Zak Hardaker is at last making more headlines on the field than off it. Williams will partner Thomas Leuluai in the halves, a stuttering alliance which represents another key area where Saints have the edge. If Wigan need a change in that area then responsibility will likely fall on inconsistent, injury-prone poor man’s Rangi Chase Jarrod Sammut.
Farrell apart Wigan’s pack looks outmatched by Saints’. Tony Clubb is a grandly over-rated individual who has in any case seen better days, while Romain Navarette is as likely to cough up possession as he is to get over the line to gain and make metres. Between them Sam Powell is reliable enough but about as far away from Roby as it is possible to be without actually being Tommy Lee. Joe Bullock is a prop of great promise but lacks the experience to take on Thompson and Walmsley if Clubb and Navarette aren’t hitting their very best form. Willie Isa will have a key role, albeit one likely to involve a lot of rule-breaking. I wonder if those let down by this week’s TV choices have considered how fascinating it will be to see this one played out without a video referee for the first time in 23 years.
Outside of that little lot and with Sean O’Loughlin taking his traditional late season break before the playoffs Wigan will be relying on youth. As well as Bullock, Oliver Partington, Morgan Smithies, Jake Shorrocks, Chris Hankinson and Liam Byrne are all in Lam’s 19-man selection.
Saints and Wigan have met twice already this season. Opening night saw Saints record a 22-12 home win before they eased to a 36-10 success on Good Friday. Social media bluster and TV-related rows aside there’s no reason to expect anything other than another Saints win in what the Saints marketing team are insisting on referring to as Bad Friday. Indeed. It doesn’t get any worse. Thankfully we have a great team on the field. Saints by 20.
Squads;
St Helens;
Jonny Lomax 2. Tommy Makinson 3. Kevin Naiqama 4. Mark Percival 5. Regan Grace 6. Theo Fages 8. Alex Walmsley 9. James Roby 10. Luke Thompson 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook 15. Morgan Knowles 16. Kyle Amor 17. Dominique Peyroux 18. Adam Swift 19. Matty Lees 20. Jack Ashworth 21. Aaron Smith 22. James Bentley 23. Lachlan Coote
Wigan Warriors;
3. Dan Sarginson 4. Oliver Gildart 5. Joe Burgess 6. George Williams 7. Thomas Leuluai 8. Tony Clubb 9. Sam Powell 12 Liam Farrell 14. Romain Navarette 15. Willie Isa 17. Liam Marshall 20. Zak Hardaker 22. Joe Bullock 23. Chris Hankinson 24. Oliver Partington 27. Jarrod Sammut 36. Liam Byrne 37. Jake Shorrocks 38. Morgan Smithies
Referee: Ben Thaler
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