SAINTS will head for the Antipodes for the first time since 1976 next season when they take on three top sides in the newly-launched Anglo-Australian competition.

The Challenge Cup and Super League double winners will first meet Auckland Warriors, Cronulla Sharks and Penrith Panthers at Knowsley Road in May, and will then play return matches during a three-week tour in either July or August.

Saints will be hoping for better fortunes than on that previous visit when they were beaten 25-2 by Eastern Suburbs and 21-15 by Queensland, on a day when the home team was captained by Greg Veivers, brother of Phil.

The re-introduction of the Australian 'connection' along with progress in the Challenge Cup competition could mean that Saints will play around 40 matches in 1997, and the need for strength in depth will be more vital then ever.

Certainly, coach Shaun McRae will be keeping an anxious eye on an injury list which presently includes Alan Hunte and Anthony Sullivan (back problems); Bobbie Goulding, Keiron Cunningham, Joey Hayes and Paul Newlove (all with knee damage).

Tommy Martyn is also recovering from a groin operation and will be missing for six weeks, but McRae was optimistic that with regard to the others it was largely a matter of rest.

Shaun was remaining tight-lipped however about the identity of a young Australian who is in town at the moment, and is expected to play trials at Knowsley Road.

Still on the signings front, Saints are reported to be interested in George Le Pepette, who is currently in this country with the Samoan RU squad; the race for Richie Blackmore is over as the player has joined Leeds; while the Iestyn Harris saga is apparently at stalemate at the moment.

Stand tickets for Saints' Norweb challenge match against Wigan on New Year's Day will be on sale at Knowsley Road from Monday, November 18. Fixtures for the forthcoming Super League season are expected to be released by the Rugby League on Wednesday, November 20, and dependent on this, Saints will sell season tickets from early December.

With the club's financial year now ending on October since the introduction of summer rugby Saints' annual general meeting will now be held in February.

Forthcoming events in the Gus O' Donnell kidney machine appeal include race nights at the Black Horse, Rainhill, tonight (Thursday) ; at Eccleston Bowling Club on Friday, November 15; and at the Foresters, Billinge on Tuesday, November 26; a Sports Forum at Saints on Wednesday, November 27; and a Ladies night at Saints on Friday, November 29.

Further details from Jimmy O'Sullivan on St Helens 28148 or Bernard Sweeney on 892919.

A sportsman's dinner in aid of former Warrington and Thatto Heath forward Gary Sanderson will be held at Saints on Saturday, November 16, at 7.30pm, with tickets available from Kevin Whittle on St Helens 756119.

Former Broadway High School product Sanderson was forced to retire from the game because of a serious shoulder injury.

ANSWERS to correspondents:

To Saints' supporter Ken Halsall, of Blackpool - Harry Street played for five clubs, Saints, Dewsbury, Wigan, Leeds and Featherstone.

To Harry Taylor of Moss Bank - Saints beat New Zealand 22-12 at Knowsley Road on Thursday, December 9, 1926. Team: Crooks; Mercer, Frodsham, Lewis, Ellaby; Fairclough, Groves; Atkin, Simm, Houghton, Roffey (captain), Heath, Shaw. Reserve: Clarey.

The sporting spirit in which the match was played was soured a little when giant Maori winger Gardner was sent off after kicking a linesman following a disputed try by Alf Ellaby.

However, the unsavoury incident was quickly forgotten when both teams then enjoyed an early Christmas dinner at the White Lion Hotel in Church Street!

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