IT'S an old maxim that a match is played over a full 80 minutes, and Saints underlined that point against Castleford. So said Shaun McRae in answer to suggestions of a smash-and-grab act.

WHITTLE: A game of two contrasting halves or should it have been four quarters, with three dominated by Castleford. Would you say that was an accurate reflection of the Premiership semi-final?

McRAE: I certainly don't agree with your latter contention because Saints started to come back into the reckoning after 47 minutes when Karle Hammond scored. But looking at the game overall I think it possible that Saints subconsciously believed that - having surprised Bradford Bulls - Castleford were not likely to repeat the dose in a matter of five days. A 18-2 deficit proved to be the rude awakening Saints' needed, and it says something for their powers of recovery that they scored 30 points in as many minutes to clinch their final spot. Rugby League is all about seizing opportunities such as when Saints capitalised when Brad Davis kicked dead, and my lads went up to the other end to open their account. Tigers' coach Stuart Raper summed it up when he said Saints' have so many stars who are capable of turning a game with one flash of brilliance, and so it proved on several occasions on Friday. I hold the view that many sections of the media often fail to give due credit to the opposition, and let me say here and now that Castleford are a far better team that the one that faced Saints at Anfield in April. WHITTLE: With the spectre of Wigan looming once more what are your thoughts on Sunday's awesome confrontation?

McRAE: First by asserting that Saints will be approaching the clash in a positive frame of mind, after all we have beaten Wigan twice this season, while the fact that we are still smarting from that record defeat by the Warriors in May is another reason why Saints will not be short on motivation. Last season's 44-14 defeat in the Premiership Final still hurts and obviously triggers the revenge motive. But Saints are under no illusion that nothing but their absolute best will be good enough against a Wigan side boasting so many match-winners, in particular the mid-field trio of Henry Paul, Tony Smith and Andy Farrell. But believe you me Saints are not going to Old Trafford to lie down - and why should they? Despite having a tendency to be slow starters, we are still capable of brilliant attacking football and cast-iron defence. Ask Castleford! WHITTLE: For any number of reasons it is a sad fact of life that both home and away support for Saints has dwindled this season. What is your message to the fans with the Premiership Final in prospect?

McRAE: I may have been at Knowsley Road just two seasons, but there is no need to remind me what a victory over Wigan means to both the Saints' players and supporters. So I humbly appeal to the Rugby League-minded folk of St. Helens to turn up in your thousands at Old Trafford because Chris Joynt and his team really need you - after all it's not been a bad season with the Challenge Cup already at Knowsley Road, plus third place in the Super League table.

WHITTLE: With Anthony Sullivan, Keiron Cunningham, Andy Leathem and Apollo Perelini joining the walking wounded light-hearted talk this week was 'bring your boots and you'll get a game!' What is the current situation?

McRAE: I am delighted to report that all four have responded to treatment and I envisage that the line-up at Old Trafford will be the one that faced Castleford. However, I would remind fans that Saints still have seven players ruled out with injury so the options are limited. WHITTLE: A cup final against Wigan is hardly the ideal preparation for the monumental trip to Brisbane to face Broncos six days later. Mission impossible?

McRAE: With an attitude like that it would perhaps be easier to stay at home. With stars such as Steve Renouf, Wendell Sailor, Alan Langer and Anthony Mundine, Broncos are quite simply the best team in the world. But as Chris Joynt says there are 17 players on each side and Saints will be giving it their best shot - as Wigan did in 1994. Selection-wise there could be the odd surprise in my 19-strong squad - watch this space!

WHITTLE: My Saints' selections for the Great Britain squad are Paul Newlove, Anthony Sullivan, Alan Hunte, Chris Joynt, Keiron Cunningham and Bobbie Goulding. What's yours?

McRAE: You are entitled to your opinion, and I will content myself by saying that mine will become public knowledge by the time Saints are en-route for Brisbane.

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