Saints rule the world

RULERS of the world -- and rightly so after the unexpected overthrow of the hitherto bucking Broncos!

That was magnificent Saints after an incredible fightback in this epic club challenge clash at Bolton's Reebok Stadium. Although not a classic, this locking of horns of Titans of the northern and southern hemispheres was an awesome confrontation which was nonetheless sportingly contested, apart from the odd incident.

For resilient Saints it was a night to remember, when passion, pride and total commitment paved the way to their first victory in three attempts in the competition, with last season's humiliation by Melbourne Storm consigned to distant memory.

Saints appeared out for the count in trailing 18-6 on early in the second half but, like true champions, they bounced back off the ropes with two tries in three minutes by Sean Long and skipper Chris Joynt, before Paul Sculthorpe and Long put the drop on Broncos with one-pointers.

It was a victory which will give a welcome boost to the British game, while the message that super Saints have arrived on the world stage will reverberate throughout Sydney and beyond.

Predictably, a massive Saints following responded to the club's call to get behind their team and, at the same time, gave a Churchillian salute to misguided Super League officials who had urged Wigan and Warrington fans to support Brisbane.

This was a triumph of teamwork and, as such, scarcely an occasion to single out individuals. But needs must, with the man-of-the-match award going to captain Joynt, who literally ran himself into the ground. My vote, however, went to the skilful Sculthorpe with the terrier Long snapping at his heels, while Keiron Cunningham, Paul Wellens, Sonny Nickle, Vila Matautia and Tommy Martyn were regularly in the picture, as were youngsters Tim Jonkers, Tony Stewart and John Stankevitch.

Special citations should also go to Anthony Sullivan, Peter Shiels, Joynt and Cunningham who were all in the wars in this white-hot battle.

And no tribute to the new emperors of Rugby League would be complete without paying homage to crown prince Ian Millward who, in less than 12 months, has transformed Saints' style and helped win two major trophies to boot. Wollongong-born Millward has achieved the ideal blend of youth and experience in that short time and, on the evidence of the happnings at Bolton, has invested wisely in coaxing Fairleigh and Shiels from Australia. Near-perfect conditions -- later to deteriorate -- greeted the teams with Saints garbed in traditional red and white. And it was Broncos who drew first blood after seven minutes when busy hooker Luke Priddis sent in stand-off Shaun Berrigan from short range, with Michael De Vere converting.

Kevin Iro, Sean Hoppe and Cunningham raised the seige for a Saints side striving to get on terms, and they may have done so if Wellens had taken a difficult pass from Martyn, but the full-back atoned with a try-saving tackle on Philip Lee.

The Grand Final Trophy holders opened their account on 19 minutes when, after Darren Lockyer lost possession when Martyn chipped through, Matautia, Joynt and Long drove in to set up a try for Sculthorpe which Long failed to convert.

But the Saints' scrum-half was back on the goal standard after being obstructed by Lee and, although the blockbusting Sailor was proving a handful in midfield, Saints had certainly given as good at they got in being level 6-6 on the half-hour.

And Joynt's men remained fully focused when Sailor eventually broke the defensive cordon for Berrigan, Priddis and Brad Meyer to send Lee beneath the uprights for De Vere to tack on the goal points.

The outstanding Berrigan had a try disallowed via the video referee on the stroke of half-time, at which point Saints were just 12-6 in arrears.

An early second half try from Meyer created by Berrigan was a mere bagatelle to a resolute Saints squad in no mood to buckle, and they went on to enrapture their supporters in scoring 14 unanswered points to claim Rugby League's ultimate accolade.

For their reply was immediate when -- coincidental with Millward's prayers for help from the elements -- hailstone rained down as Long scooted under the posts on latching on to a peach of a pass from Joynt.

The conversion was a formality for 'Longy', and with 50 minutes on the clock the scene was set for Saints to draw level yet again when Newlove broke majestically to put Joynt over, with Long's goal spelling an 18-18 scoreline.

Brisbane captain Gorden Tallis was lucky to escape punishment for a late challenge as the Saints' leader touched down, and there was now more than an hint of a famous victory for a Saints team whose performance had been par excellence throughout.

Brisbane heads patently dropped at the dramatic turn of events before Scully and Long mounted their double drop act. But those final heart-stopping seconds were the longest Saints' supporters had endured for many a year.

Now it was time for the partying to begin in earnest as champagne corks popped on the pitch, while beer flowed like water as pumps ran dry in local pubs and clubs, as fans celebrated the enthronement of their heroes as kings of the Rugby League world.