ABSOLUTELY no excuses, Auckland Warriors were simply too good for Saints, but we did not play badly! Those were the conclusions of Shaun McRae following defeat in the World Club Challenge launch.

WHITTLE: I believe few fans expected Saints to win, but they were nonetheless shocked by the try count of 7-2. Are Saints just not capable of performing at this level, unlike Wigan and Bradford?

McRAE: I believe they are when, like the two teams you mention, they are able to select from full strength. But on Friday size, power and a fully-fit Warriors squad just refused to be contained, and I would ask our critics to remember that even though Auckland had not won for seven weeks several of those defeats had been real cliff-hangers. However, at the end of the day, Saints were beaten by a far better side, loaded with New Zealand Test stars plus Denis Betts, and this is more acceptable when the majority of your lads have given their all, although I also think that the occasion was a little to much for a few of them.

WHITTLE: Don't you consider it ironical that, even though the referees' controller is Australian, the play-the-ball as demonstrated by his fellow countrymen is a shambles?

McRAE: Point taken because too many of them are simply throwing the ball between the legs and not playing it with the foot. There were many glaring instances of this by Auckland, but they were penalised just once for this particular offence. The thorny issue has been discussed at several coaches' meetings, and I have no doubt will continue to be so until Greg McCallum is satisfied.

WHITTLE: By his own high standards Bobbie Goulding's game has suffered of late due, no doubt. to hernia problems. In view of this don't you believe that having urgent surgery is the wisest course?

McRAE: The original plan was that Bobbie would delay an operation until the World Club Challenge was completed, but the gamble has not worked and Goulding has succumbed to an injury that has got worse and he is due to enter hospital today (Thursday). WHITTLE: With Goulding, Tommy Martyn and Karle Hammond now out of action surely you can understand why the 'why didn't you keep Lee Briers?' lobby refuses to go away?

McRAE: Indeed I can, but at the time of Briers' departure Saints had to make a business decision which was the correct one at the time, just as it was when they decided not to sign Iestyn Harris due to financial constraints. I made no secret at the time that seeing Harris in a Saints' jersey was my ultimate aim, but it was not to be and one has to accept such judgements. Some people may ask why Saints didn't hold onto Adam Fogerty who was playing well last season, but here again the nub of the matter was contractual, and I would ask supporters to remember that hindsight is a wonderful thing.

WHITTLE: There are those who say that, with an emphasis on defence bordering on the obsessional Australian Rugby League is too predictable and bores the pants off the English fan. How would you react to that provocative charge?

McRAE: In the strongest possible terms by pointing out that the Aussies appear to have it right if the World Club Challenge results are any clue. Only Wigan have managed to dent the Australian game's almost embarrassing superiority, with the scoring of 40 points plus being the benchmark for most clubs. Whether we like it or not modern-day Rugby League is all about winning, and I am sure this is the case at Saints where we had five-figure gates during our run of success - lose a few matches and the crowds slump, it's a fact of life. If you were to ask me what is the most important difference in the two hemispheres it is in the matter of pace, as witness the speed in which Australians are back in position at the play-the-ball and are ready to move up into the tackle again, despite the 10-metre rule.

WHITTLE: Realistically how do you assess Saints' chances against Cronulla?

McRAE: First and foremost let may say that the Sharks are a fantastically gifted side. However, after the Auckland experience, I feel that Saints will be more aware of what they are up against, and there is no way we will be writing it off as a lost cause. WHITTLE: 'McRae to go home!' screamed newspaper headlines at the weekend. How much truth is there in this?

McRAE: Yet again it was a classic case of being grossly mis-quoted by so-called responsible reporters. Let me put the record straight by saying that when my contract at Saints expires at the end of the 1998 season I will be prepared to re-negotiate with them or listen to what any other club has to offer. Never at any time did I say I was homesick for Australia.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.