Justin Holbrook said Friday night’s match was the worst game of rugby league he has been involved in.
Saints lost 8-6 in a dour contest at the Totally Wicked Stadium to leave them in fifth in the Betfred Super League ladder.
“It wasn’t a good display was it?” he said. “From both teams. It wasn’t just us dropping the ball, it was both sides. It was one of the worst games of rugby league I have been involved in.
“I feel sorry for those who had to watch that. I’m glad it wasn’t on TV. We had a coach’s conference during the week and I said when the balls get wet they are ridiculous. I’m not defending my team, I’m defending the game there. I’m just glad it wasn’t on TV as it was embarrassing all round as a game.
“There wasn’t much in it in the end – a 50 metre penalty goal was the difference in a poor game of rugby league.”
He continued: “In saying that, we have been playing well and I want us to back ourselves. We created plenty of chances in the first half but unfortunately they didn’t come off.
“The difference was a penalty and I didn’t think Hull looked like scoring us on us too. They played the conditions better but we created plenty of chances and that is a pleasing thing. The disappointing thing is we didn’t win. The pleasing thing is we played a good style but the last pass and poor ball security did for us.
“I’m critical of the players for ball security. I thought we were disgraceful at times. We dropped some clean cold.
“Our effort level was fantastic but we let ourselves down with some poor unforced errors. I can cop the forced ones if you create chances and miss them.
“I’m ok with that as I don’t want to stop us playing. But the dumb ones carrying up, dropping it in the tackle and getting in front of the player – we did that a few times.
“In the end we didn’t play well enough to win. Credit to Hull they came here, simplified things and in the end it was a tight game.
“We now have to bounce back next week.”
