JON Wilkin says Friday’s World Club Series date is not only big for the club but Super League as a whole.
Saints will face Sydney Roosters in Game One of the 2016 series at Langtree Park.
“It is a huge game for the club, Super League and the players here,” he explains. “The younger players in the squad look up to the NRL and the calibre of player here.
“But these NRL players are just human and a good performance would be huge in terms of the development of our players.
“I’m excited about the Series and I’m sure they will be keenly contested matches. The NRL respect what we do as they are scouring our comp for talent.
“We want to show our younger players that our comp has merits and strengths and they can play here rather than over there.”
Saints head into the match on the back of defeat at Salford – something they are keen to make amends for.
“It wasn’t a great performance and to serve that up in the second round of the season with Friday’s game in mind wasn’t ideal preparation,” Wilkin continues. “We wanted to head into the game with confidence but these things happen in sport and it is part of the job to deal with it, move on and learn from the experience.
“The analysis wasn’t pretty but we have a strong focus on this week. It is a chance to regroup.
“The focus has to be squarely on ourselves. We won’t do any video or homework on the Roosters because we have to fix up what we do. That is our priority.
“We have the ultimate respect for them but it is hard to do homework on a team before a ball has been kicked in their competition. We will look at individuals but the gameplan is pretty simple; we were physically terrible against Salford and that is where we have to be better.
“We’re looking forward to continuing the tradition of us playing the Roosters in this fixture. One of the first Saints games I attended was the Challenge in 2003. We were poor that night and this game is one in which we could make some amends for that.”
Tickets for Friday’s game, which kicks off at 8pm, remain on sale.
Prices are:
Hattons Solicitors West Terrace, East Terrace and Family Stands:
Adult – £22.50, OAP and Young Adult – £15.50, Junior – £10
Solarking South and Totally Wicked North Stands:
Gold: Adult – £30, OAP and Young Adult – £22.50, Junior – £12
Silver: Adult – £28, OAP and Young Adult – £20.50, Junior – £12
Bronze: Adult – £25, OAP and Young Adult – £18.50, Junior – £10
Are you a group of 20 or more and planning to come to our game? Then contact James Newman on 01744 455081 for great discounted rates.
Tickets can be bought by popping into the Ticket Office at Langtree Park, by calling 01744 455 052 or online here.
A package for all three games (Leeds v North Queensland, Wigan v Brisbane) costs £60 and can be purchased by visiting www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk or calling the Rugby League Ticket Hotline on 0844 856 1113.
