KEIRON Cunningham believes the final two games of the Super 8s are perfect preparation for the First Utility Super League Playoff Semi Finals.
Saints take on Wigan this Friday at Langtree Park before hosting Warrington the following Thursday.
And whilst positions in the top four are yet to be finalised – and could throw up a combination of opponents for his side in the semi-final – the tough run in is “ideal”.
“We’ve not had the easiest of draws in the Super 8s and in anything we have the toughest finish too with Wigan and Warrington,” he said. “No matter how Warrington are going it is a local derby and always a tough game.
“And when we face Wigan there’s always fireworks! There’s no better games for us as we head into the semi-finals.
“We always work hard but in terms of motivation it doesn’t take a lot to get the players up this week. They would play now if they could.
“We will look at our structures and the personnel we have this week and make some decisions closer to the game.
“There might be a bit of an issue with Travis Burns, we will have to see, and Atelea Vea isn’t far off. He has started running and we’re hoping he is back in the next couple of weeks.
“It will be a great game I have no doubt. We always want to win these games – the fans deserve it too. The diehards deserve as much success as they can get.”
Saints have won their last two games although many supporters wouldn’t want to go through another match like the 42-38 win over Castleford again… Cunningham included.
“I watched the game back a couple of times and we certainly did some good stuff with ball,” he added. “We were also defensively good for a large period. Certain individuals let us down a touch with missed tackles but we got the win. It was a typical Saints v Cas game, lots of points and we came good in the end.
“We kept finding a way to get back into the game and showed a lot of resilience too. You show where you are as a club when your backs are against the wall and we did enough at the right times.”
Cunningham confirmed that Alex Walmsley will miss the game with the ankle injury he sustained at Castleford but he should be fit for the semis.
The big prop could even play against Warrington, if he continues to improve.
Mose Masoe should return for the match.
Tickets for Friday’s big game against Wigan at Langtree Park (kick off 8pm) are on sale from the Ticket Office at Langtree Park, by calling 01744 455 052 or online here.
