UNREPENTANT! That was the mood of Shaun McRae following criticism of his comments on the Saints' Cup victory over Warrington on Sunday,

WHITTLE: Some fans and Wolves' coach Daryl Van De Velde, thought you over-reacted in your condemnation of Wolves' physical approach. Like to defend yourself?

McRAE: My first priority is the protection of Saints' players particularly after several off-the-ball incidents which left our dressing room looking like a battle zone at half-time. A total of 23 penalties is perhaps an indication of the way in which the game was played and I find it difficult to understand when people say they enjoyed the 80 minutes when our time-and-motion study revealed that the ball was actually in play for only 45 minutes. I would prefer to call the game dour, and I am convinced that Warrington came to Knowsley Road to spoil and push the laws to the limit. Beyond that I have nothing to add except to say that discipline triumphed over provocation in ensuring that Saints reached the last eight.

WHITTLE: What is your opinion regarding the 'placing on report' legislation, which was imposed on Tommy Martyn at the weekend?

McRAE: First and foremost Tommy was adjudged as having no case to answer, even though referee Smith initially reached for the red card. If he had produced it at a point when Saints were winning by just 22-16 we would have played the last 23 minutes with 12 men. So I am obviously in favour of the 'on-report' procedure which takes the onus of the referee and allows for in-depth video study of the incident and Tommy's case was a classic example. Staying on disciplinary matters I would go even further and suggest that a substitution be allowed when a player is dismissed, on the basis that no team should be punished for an individual transgression.

WHITTLE: What is your progress report on the form of Paul Atcheson?

McRAE: Settling in well and will get even better. That's my honest assessment of a lad who has not missed a tackle or dropped a 'bomb' in his first two games in a Saints' jersey. Although I do get annoyed when some supporters asked where was he when Penny scored - the answer being that Paul was involved in the previous tackle. As for the kick-and-chase to the posts when Roach almost touched down, Atcheson was badly obstructed in midfield. I have no doubts about Paul's pace.

WHITTLE: Wigan at Central Park!Did you sleep well on Monday night?

McRAE Why not, after all what is done is done, and there is no point in approaching what will be a tough task for both teams in anything but a positive frame of mind. I have a tremendous respect for Wigan. I can tell Saints' fans is that the preparation for what will be another epic will be spot-on and the lads are quietly confident.

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