Denis Whittle talks Rugby League with Saints' coach Shaun McRae PREPARATION almost complete, attitude right, morale high, and ready for what is always a daunting task when tackling Wigan!

So said Saints' boss Shaun McRae when we resumed our weekly face-to-face sessions at Knowsley Road on Tuesday afternoon, with the remainder of the dialogue being as follows.

WHITTLE: Skipper Bobbie Goulding in contract dispute, full-back Steve Prescott on the transfer list, and several other players rumoured to be on the move soon . Hardly the ideal scenario for Challenge cup-tie with Wigan, don't you think?

McRAE: Let me say at the outset that whatever their differences with the club - which I try not involve myself in - both Bobbie and Steve will be totally committed to beating Wigan on Saturday.

As, of course, will every other squad member, including those whose names have been bandied around as surplus to requirements at Saints, because that is nothing more than pure speculation, and I am echoing the words of the board to convince our fans.

Having got that off my chest, and turning to on-field matters, I am in no doubt that we can expect yet another fiercely-fought, free-flowing confrontation contested at a frantic pace, which is par for the course when these arch-rivals clash.

I am also realistic enough to believe that this, of all others, is a game that either side could win, with a dropped pass, missed tackle or a drop-kick rebounding from a post often crucial in the final analysis.

No one would deny that Wigan were worthy winners in last season's Premiership Final, but I have to say they needed it more than Saints did on the day, otherwise the trophy cupboard would have been bare at Central Park, whereas the Super League and Challenge Cup were safely at Knowsley Road.

Hopefully this time Saints will finish on the credit side of the ledger, and I think that the Norweb Challenge matches and the 'friendly' against Leeds have helped to stave off any possibly ring-rustiness.

Saints will wind up their training on Friday and, as far as Saturday is concerned, there is no hidden agenda at Knowsley Road, both teams and coaches have a healthy respect for each other and the key to success will probably lie in who absorbs the pressure best over the 80 minutes - it is as simple or as difficult as that.

WHITTLE: We will swop chairs for a minute and I will give you the Saints' side that I think will 'do' Wigan. It is: Prescott; Arnold, Hunte, Newlove, Sullivan; Martyn, Goulding; Perelini, Cunningham, O'Neill, Joynt, McVey, Hammond. Substitutes Pickavance, Morley, Matautia. Northey.

McRAE: Do you know something that I don't? Seriously though I have a squad of 24, of which Joey Hayes and Andy Haigh are injured, so five will be disappointed against Wigan. I rest my case.

WHITTLE: The dawn of a new season is at hand, and as holders of the Cup and League titles doubtless your goals for Saints will be similar, plus boosting the team's global image in the launch of the World Club Challenge?

McRAE: I am in complete agreement on all three counts, but on the first two I am sufficiently streetwise to know that every opposition will be keen to knock Saints off their lofty perch.

In such a testing situation I am ever mindful of the old saying that goes something like this: 'reach of the sky and you may get to the ceiling - reach for the ceiling and you may not get off the floor' - so the moral is obvious, set your sights high and hope for the best

Naturally the World Club Challenge has triggered a buzz of excitement with its two-way trips between Australia, New Zealand and this country, although I have reservations as to how much the players will be affected by such trans-world travel.

However with Rugby League still primarily confined to four countries I am delighted that teams are about to spread their wings, while the prospect of final at the ANZ stadium and with it a $400,000 prize is a mouthwatering one indeed.

WHITTLE: Iestyn Harris - to be or not to be a Saint?

McRAE: May I wipe the slate clean on this matter by saying I supported the signing of Iestyn and still do, but only if the formula is right in agreeing market value. And please, no more idle gossip about possible comings and goings.

WHITTLE: What are your views on a replacement for Scott Gibbs?

McRAE: That might rest with Scott himself because I would welcome him back with open arms if a match-to-match contract could be agreed. But I think we could rule out this season because Gibbs must be a front-runner for the British Lions tour of South Africa this summer.

WHITTLE: New rules coming into immediate effect concern the seventh tackle, the 'bomb' and the play-the-ball. Can you elaborate?

McRAE: As regards the first, the team receiving a kick will have an extra tackle whether the recipient retains the ball, passes or kicks it back, while an additional tackle will be granted if obtaining possession from a knock-on.

It will also be illegal to tackle a player who has left the ground in fielding a 'bomb,' while a tackled player will now have to lift his whole body from the ground before playing the ball.

Who'd be a referee!

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