Hat-trick hero Kevin Naiqama is eager to put the wrongs of the Wigan defeat a few week's ago to bed with victory over them in the Betfred Super League Grand Final on Friday.
Saints lost 18-6 to Wigan at the Totally Wicked Stadium a few week’s ago, but Naiqama says Saints have learnt lessons and will be motivated by the chance to redeem themselves.
“When someone beats you, you obviously want to play them again. You want another opportunity to challenge them, to sort of redeem yourself, and what better opportunity to do that than in a Grand Final?
“It was a tough, physical game and we know what we’re going to get against them. They’re going to come at us all guns blazing.
“For me personally and I think as a team collectively, you learn your biggest battles in your losses. Obviously we would have wanted to win that game but we took a lot out of it. If anything, it builds some fire there.
“There’s a lot of history and rivalry and also a lot of respect between the two teams. It’s probably the biggest game in the calendar for rugby league here. You want to play in those big games.
“We’ve been the two top teams in the competition this year and at the end of the year that’s what you want to see, the most consistent teams going at it.”
The 31-year-old capped his first season in Super League with a Grand Final winners ring and he is hoping he can go back to back with another Grand Final victory against Wigan on Friday.
“I’m loving it here,” Naiqama said. “It’s gone so quickly. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better first two seasons than playing in two Grand Final’s.
“Old Trafford is such an historical place and then taking the crowd out of it as well, it’s definitely a mental challenge, you’re creating that energy with your team.
“But it doesn’t take away from the occasion, it’s a Grand Final at the end of the day and they don’t come around too often.
“I’ve been playing 12 or 13 years as a professional and this is only the second one I’ve been able to play in.
“It’s not going to take away the excitement, I can tell you that. The boys are definitely excited and looking forward to this game.”
