MIKE Rush once again paid tribute to Saints’ forward line as they secured back to back victories over Leeds and Warrington.
Speaking ahead of this week’s Good Friday clash with Wigan he said the success of recent weeks has come because of how well the likes of Josh Perry and Antony Laffranchi are playing.
“We can only get on top of teams if our forwards are laying a good platform,” he said. “JP, Boof, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Paul Clough and Shaun Magennis have all aimed up over the last couple weeks. That means the likes of TP and Sia can then get on the edge and get those one on ones with smaller players or get quick play the balls for James Roby. He can only benefit from that if we are playing quickly.
“So we will need to continue that this week. The Wigan game is massive and we all know what it means. We have grown up with it and I think my first one was when I was around four or five. I think I’ve only missed two and that was when I was travelling in Australia. It is tradition and a real family occasion.
“Of course that brings pressure. When I stepped in with Keiron two weeks ago we knew Wigan was coming and every St Helens person knows what it means to get one over on Wigan and vice versa. We know what is at stake.
“We were lucky in hindsight that we played Leeds and Warrington as they gets you up to the level required to take on Wigan and move forward. Perhaps it was lucky we faced Leeds in that first week as motivation comes in playing big games. Some people would have been happy with two points from three games but expectation is now six from six.”
Saints expect to have Tony Puletua back in the line-up but will leave it until later in the week before deciding on the fitness of Gary Wheeler.
Anthony Laffranchi and Paul Wellens won’t be available due to bans – but that could change as Saints are appealing their Captain’s disciplinary result on Wednesday afternoon.
