SAINTS coach Justin Holbrook was a happy man after watching his side thump Wigan 36-10 at the DW Stadium.
He paid tribute to the team effort that delivered the comprehensive win – but also gave an injury update on the two Saints casualties of the game.
Saints were in control from the off – and even though they gave Wigan a slender toe-hold on the stroke of half time, it was a very one-sided contested with some stand-out players in the ranks.
Holbrook praised the contribution of Lachlan Coote – the current man of the moment.
He said: “He is awesome. I have said every week he is a calming influence on our side and keeps us in control.
“He comes in and plays a big part in the way we are playing and was fantastic again today.
“And Regan Grace is playing really well too and finishing off some good tries.
“He is such a good player to watch run the ball – he is exciting and quick. That was a great try of his in the second half in particular.
“He is capable of a step up to Great Britain but there are so many good wingers in this competition. It is up to the selectors and it is early in the season – but he is more than capable.
“Morgan Knowles is the most underrated player in Super League. You talk about Great Britain tours but he would be the first player I would pick. He is that good.
“Right from the start of pre-season he has worked so hard and been such a pleasure to coach. Our whole forward pack is playing well and he is a big part of that.”
The feeling after winning a Good Friday Derby............👀#saintsandproud 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/1duTXxzwjM
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) April 19, 2019
After beating Warrington last week, backing up with a victory over Wigan in front of a 22,000 gate has put a real spring in everyone’s step.
The coach is among those feeling it.
“It is a good feeling at the moment – and it was a cracking atmosphere here today,” Holbrook said.
“To have so many of our fans turn out today was massive and that was a credit to our players that they want to come and watch them play.”
It was not all good news and there were a couple of casualties that will be out for a few weeks after today.
Holbrook said: “Injury wise, Luke Thompson got a whack in the eye and although it is puffed up he will be ok.
“However, Mark Percival pulled a hamstring and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook has a damaged knee.
“Louie won’t play for a few weeks. It is an MCL part of his knee and it is in a brace so both he and Percy will be out for a while too.
“Robes had been crook all week so we carried Aaron Smith and he came on and did a really good job for us late in the game. I was really happy for him.
Theo Fages missed after not making through training in the week.
“Theo is not quite right – he had a chance for today but could not make it through training.
“That is going to make him hard to get right for Monday.”
With things going well, Holbrook does not seem in a rush to be leaving and said he had a quick chat with the chairman.
“I have had a quick chat with the chairman and we wanted to wait to get a busy Easter out of the way and have a chat in May.
“I am happy with that, he is happy with that. I am obviously enjoying it here – it is a great club and I love the playing group. I have enjoyed it ever since I got here so we will what happens.
“I haven’t got any plans to leave,” Holbrook said.
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