Denis Whittle talks to Saints' coach Shaun McRae SAVED by the bell! That, in boxing parlance, was how Shaun McRae summed up Saints' last-ditch survival act in the World Club Challenge tie against Penrith.

WHITTLE: With feelings running high in town after the Auckland disaster Saints' supporters were glued to their television sets on Monday. How do you account for the transformation?

McRAE: Starting at the beginning of the trip, which is always a good place to kick-off, I thought Saints' gave a vastly improved performance versus Cronulla in losing just 28-12 after they had beaten us 48-8 at Knowsley Road, and but for missing two chances Saints' might well have won. As for suggestions that Sharks were under-strength - so were Saints!

Then it was on to face Auckland just four days later and obviously one of those was spent travelling so we had just two days to prepare to take on the Warriors.

But let me make it quite clear, this is not offered as an excuse for a performance which was a total humiliation, highlighted by a failure to defend and complete sets of six tackles, all of which left me wondering 'why am I in this job? A time for soul-searching without doubt before returning to Sydney, where the Saints players enjoyed a two-day break which meant there was almost a week to get in the right frame of mind for the Penrith showdown.

And, as we all know, it did the trick with restoration of positive attitude and will to contain the Panthers to less than the crucial 10-point margin allowing both the team and me to enjoy the 'best' loss for many a season.

WHITTLE: With due acknowledgement of Saints' improved display surely the present World Club competition is a nonsense when they go through after losing all six games, while undefeated Penrith are out?

McRAE: Point taken. To me it is a damning indictment of the manner in which the tournament is structured. No doubt my old club, Canberra, feel the same way after putting 50 points past Wigan, who, nonetheless, have reached the quarter-final stage.

My own view is that the WCC competition has a future, but in 1998 it should be confined to the top-four clubs from England and Australia, and played at the end of the season.

WHITTLE: Having said that, do you believe that Saints and other English sides benefitted from a learning curve in being pitted against the might of the Australian clubs and Auckland Warriors? McRAE: Indeed I do, and this was reflected in the second half of the competition where clubs such as Oldham, Salford and Leeds managed to pull off surprise victories. However, no one has been able to defeat Auckland Warriors who, along with Cronulla, I regard as the dark horses of the World Club Championship.

WHITTLE: Probably in the depths of despair after the Auckland debacle, and in the full glare of the television camera, you stated that you felt like 'jacking in' Rugby League coaching. Are you still of the same mind?

McRAE: Nothing that has happened in the Antipodes will divert me from honouring my contract with Saints. In fact, the board of directors wanted to discuss a new contract with me. However, not wishing to rush matters, I preferred to wait until the end of next season. Don't read too much into this, but I would welcome the opportunity to broaden my horizons via the medium of Sky Television. WHITTLE: Have you any idea why several Saints' players dyed their hair blonde before leaving for Australia?

McRAE: I haven't the faintest, as they say in these parts, but I hasten to add that you can't control other people's lives, and as long as they do the job they are paid for what they do in their personal life is no concern of mine. At the end of the day you are dealing with super-fit young men who are likely to let off steam from time to time, and I have been on several tours with Australia when some of the players were collectively tattooed on the rear end of the anatomy! It may have escaped your notice but Bobbie Goulding took to wearing red boots in all three games on the trip - what's the difference?

WHITTLE: While Saints were away there were whispers of a large-scale clear-out at Knowsley Road, Can you expand on this rumour?

McRAE: What I can say is that talks have been held with certain players while others have also been under the microscope. But in answer to your question changes will be made in a bid to restore Saints to pole position in Super League. WHITTLE: By common consent Keiron Cunningham was Saints' best player on tour and stated on television that he would like to play in Australia when his contract expires at Saints. What more can be done to keep him at Knowsley Road?

McRAE: Obviously I am not the best person to answer that. However I believe that Keiron is quite happy with his present situation at Saints, and what I can say without fear of contradiction is that he is a dream to coach.

WHITTLE: Second only to Cunningham! That was the consensus on Andy Leathem who really came of age on the trip, don't you agree?

McRAE: Absolutely, and more so when it is remembers that he had a brief encounter with a rare white tail spider which left its mark on young Andy. Still in the laurels department a word of praise is also in order for Sean Long, plus Andy Northey, who did well on Monday after a lengthy absence.

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