SIA Soliola is setting his sights high as Saints enter the second half of the First Utility Super League season.
The forward has been an ever present in Nathan Brown’s side this campaign and is ready for a big finale.
And he reckons the attitude is right in the camp for an assault on Old Trafford.
“Perhaps the Warrington game was a blessing in disguise,” he explained. “Maybe we were just getting through games rather than finishing them and not addressing the real issue about how we were approaching those matches.
“Since Huddersfield there has been a big attitude change within the team. After the Wolves game Wello (Paul Wellens) said it was embarrassing and we took that on board.
“The club didn’t deserve that performance and nothing less than first place is where we need to be. It will be tough but we are capable of it.
“It was nice to have a break ahead of the match with Catalan but I’d rather have been in the Challenge Cup. It will be tough there but we will go with the right attitude. They did have a rough start but have come into form now and have players back.
“They have big forwards and it will be a real tough ask for us.”
Like Tommy Makinson, Sia has appeared in all Saints’ games this year and is continuing to be the hub of a strong pack.
He continued: “I’m happy with my form; I’ve had to adapt in different positions and I have played in the back row, centre, front row and lock so far. I’ve enjoyed showing how versatile I am and I’ve enjoyed being at lock, being up there in the grunt and amongst the action.
“I think it’s best suited for me and the more I play there the more comfortable I get. There’s more to come too.”
After the win at Castleford, Nathan Brown indicated that Sia would leave the club at the end of the season to return to Australia.
Soliola confirmed this but said it is for all the right reasons.
“I’ve expressed to the club that I am looking to go home at the end of the season and that is solely based on family reasons. The club has been fantastic to me but I feel it is time to move back home to Australia.
“Nothing is sorted yet and I am focusing on Saints and Old Trafford.
“It has been a hard decision as I feel I have made a lot of friends over here. It will be hard as Eamonn, Mike Rush and Nathan have been great to me, I can’t fault them; at this stage it is for family reasons.”
