SUNDAY'S victory was not as tough as expected but a good start to the season nonetheless, despite that late fade-out, said Shaun McRae.

WHITTLE: Fifty minutes of fantastic football spelled 50 points, but what came after could cost Saints dearly against better sides than Rovers. That was the fans' view, what's yours?

McRAE: Obviously I have to agree with them to a large extent and, given that Saints scored 18 points without reply facing the slope, I can only conclude that tiredness set in later - after all it was our first serious game of the season whereas Featherstone already had two under their belts. However, any victory at Post Office Road is worthwhile, and I was particularly pleased for Bobbie Goulding, who enjoyed a far better start to the season after being sent off against Wigan 12 months ago. Maybe the soup-and-bananas diet had something to do with it for Bobbie! Baffled is the only way to describe my feelings when Apollo Perelini was sin-binned - dismay when Paul Newlove had to have six stitches in a facial wound, but these things happen in a game of hard physical contact such as Rugby League. Speaking of Perelini, some fans have asked why he started on the bench, and I can assure them that the decision to begin with Brett Goldspink was purely a tactical one _ after all both Apollo and Ian Pickavance were on within the first half-hour. Looking at the match with the benefit of hindsight I think praise is due to Featherstone for their fightback, and also for the way the club is keeping the Rugby League flag flying at Post Office Road.

WHITTLE: How did you react to Monday's Cup draw which brings Warrington to Knowsley Road?

McRAE: With caution! At first glance it might be argued that, with Saints and the Wolves having rebuilt during the close season, there could be an element of fear of the unknown about the pairing. However, both teams have players who were once in the opposition, while Saints' Andy Haigh, Joey Hayes and Andy Leatham are all Warrington-based products. What I can say with certainty is that Wolves coach Darryl Van De Velde has made a clutch of shrewd signings in Australians Michael Eager, Adam Doyle, Danny Farrar and Danny Nutley, while Saints need no reminding of the threat posed by Lee Briers. For now I will content myself in landing a home draw. WHITTLE: Following recent stories relating to drink, Saints' latest signing Australian Damien Smith has now been linked with drugs by media sources. Have you any comment on this?

McRAE: The old maxim that 'people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones' springs immediately to mind. However these reports are purely 'alleged' and as far as I am concerned will remain as such, and when Damien Smith arrives here he will be judged as a Rugby League player, and not for some isolated and unproved incident. I have not seen him play but feel confident that Damien will provide excellent cover for Paul Newlove and Andy Haigh. WHITTLE: Andy Leathem, Joey Hayes, Anthony Stewart and Dean Busby were all conspicuous by their absent at Featherstone. Why?

McRAE: Because they weren't picked! I could choose 17 from a squad of 21 so someone had to be disappointed but they were all due to return in the Alliance team facing Widnes last night, Wednesday. The same applied to Paul Davidson who has now completed his suspension.

WHITTLE: What is the up-to-date report on Vila Matautia?

McRAE: Vila is due to have the plaster-cast removed from his broken arm in the next fortnight, and then faces 6-8 weeks rehabilitation. However the signs are good at the moment that plating of the fracture will not be necessary.

WHITTLE: When summer rugby kicked off fans were told that a long winter break would be beneficial to the players. Now Rugby League is hinting of becoming a 12-months-of-the-year game. Which poses the question 'is summer rugby working?'

McRAE: Ask the players and they will leave you in no doubt. They have sampled both sides of the coin as recently as at Preston and Featherstone, and the comparison is odious. For me summer rugby is a far better spectacle but, at the end of the day, opinions are like backsides - everybody has one!

WHITTLE: What do you think of Saints' new away strip?

McRAE: Unusual maybe, trendy definitely and it's selling well. I don't pretend to be a guru of fashion but believe the kit looks good. I rest my case.

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