A STEP in the right direction after the decline at Huddersfield. That was Shaun McRae's verdict on Saints' win over Warrington at Anfield.

WHITTLE: As ex-Prime Minister Harold Wilson once said, a week is a long time in politics. And it certainly is the case in Rugby League if Saints' improved display, while not the stuff of champions, is the benchmark, don't you think?

McRAE: First and foremost I have to say that you were a little harsh on Saints last week in suggesting that we were out of the Super League race after just three games. But yes, my players buckled down at Anfield throughout the entire 80 minutes and it showed, with a marked improvement in finishing leading to six tries, while handling errors were reduced from 22 the previous week to a more acceptable 10. It's an cliche, maybe, that one can make statistics prove anything or nothing, and to illustrate my point Saints dropped only two balls in the first half and scored just two tries, while they later ran in four despite losing possession eight times - such is life in Rugby League! As for the day itself, it was a great opportunity for players and spectators alike to bask in the splendour of a superb stadium while, at the same time, highlighting the fact that many of our grounds are in need of a facelift. Overall the match was a fine contest for both regular customer and curious Liverpudlian, and many 'Scousers' told me they enjoyed it.

WHITTLE: Nevertheless you can't be content with a defence which, apart from the two bottom clubs, is the worst in Super League in leaking an average of 22 points per game?

McRAE: This remains an area of concern, and I can only repeat that the coaching staff and players are untiring in their efforts to lower that embarrassing figure, because points differential could be more crucial than ever before when top-five placings are finalised in September. However, Saints' points-for aggregate should stand them in good stead because they are presently behind only Wigan and Leeds in this respect. WHITTLE: Acknowledging that Karle Hammond had an outstanding game in his first game as hooker at Anfield, what was the rationale behind the demotion of teenager John Hamilton?

McRAE: Young John has done remarkably well since being thrown in at the deep end against Salford, but he needs to develop physically and is still at the learning stage. He scored two tries in the Alliance 48-18 win over Huddersfield on Tuesday and, make no mistake, his time will come at Knowsley Road. In tackling Warrington I felt I needed the experience and astute football brain of Hammond, especially around the rucks, and there is no doubt that Karle turned up trumps.

WHITTLE: With Bradford, Hull, Halifax and Leeds to face it promises to be a daunting month of May for Saints, and these results could produce a fairly accurate barometer of the team's championship chances, maybe?

McRAE: Come the end of May, Saints and every other Super League club will have played only eight matches so, with 14 still to play, I consider it far too early to be making forecasts as to who will finish where. Agreed, it will be a very tough month, but no more so than any other in this intensely fierce competition, which has been rendered even harder by the replacement of Workington and Paris by Huddersfield and Hull. WHITTLE: This weekend's break should be a blessing for players recovering from injury. What is the current medical bulletin?

McRAE: In order of length of absence the roll-call reads: Vila Matautia - bone graft not successful, arm back in plaster, in training but could be missing until August. Keiron Cunningham - still undergoing rehabilitation for groin problem, resumed light training and might be ready to play at Bradford. Apollo Perelini - knee responding to treatment, should be ready to face the Bulls. Tommy Martyn - not started running after leg injury, return estimate Hull. Paul Sculthorpe - muscle tear in quadracep, Bradford.

WHITTLE: Some pundits are forecasting a runaway win for Wigan against Sheffield in Saturday's Cup Final. Do you see it that way?

McRAE: For the sake of the Rugby League game in general I hope the sceptics are proved wrong, but I cannot envisage any other than victory for Warriors against a Eagle side in which only Paul Broadbent had played at Wembley. Incidentally yours truly will be summarising on TV along with Jonathan Davies.

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