A COURT ruling on the other side of the world means Saints have a fight on their hands to retain the services on influential forward Derek McVey.

McVey, who joined the Knowsley Roaders from Balmain Tigers had signed a contract with Rupert Murdoch's Australian Super League. But that was put on hold when the Autralian RL won a court ruling banning Super League Down Under.

But the ban was overturned by the Australian High Court on Friday. And that means the Aussies may invoke McVey's original contract.

But Saints chief executive David Howes is holding long-distance negotiations with the man in charge of the Aussie Super League contracts, Michael O'Connor, the Kangaroo international who spent a brief period at Saints in 1988-89 season.

Mr Howes has also enlisted the aid of GB Super League chief Maurice Lindsay, who is on business in Sydney.

On a happier note Saints have received a work permit for 23-year-old prop Julian O'Neill who is joining the club from Auckland Warriors.

O'Neill, will continue to train with the Warriors and will arrive in this country in December, in time to play in the winter challenge matches against Wigan.

SAINTS skipper Bobbie Goulding wrote himself a place in the record books during Great Britain's 72-4 hammering of Fiji on Saturday.

He scored 32 points -the highest individual Great Britain Test score.

His haul included his first hat-trick of tries at senior level and 10 goals. His goals equalled the Test record set by Lewis Jones against Australia in 1954 and equalled by Oldham's Bernard Ganley against France in 1957 and by Jonathan Davies also against France in 1993. The previous points record was 21 and was shared by Lewis Jones (v France, 1957), Neil Fox (v France, 1963 and 1964).

The Lions' triumph also saw tries from Anthony Sullivan and Alan Hunte (2). Meanwhile, Saints players Alan Hunte, Anthony Sullivan, Bobbie Goulding and Kieron Cunningham were named in the GB side who were due to meet a Lion Red Cup XIII at Carlaw Park today (Thursday).

Danny Arnold is in the starting line-up for the GB Academy side who play an Auckland under 19s side in a curtain raiser, while Saints' Paul Anderson is on the bench. And spare a thought for former Saints ace Bernard Dwyer. He's been unable to play because of badly blistered feet, been laid low by a stomach bug and had £200 stolen from the hotel.

GIANT forward John Harrison has joined Widnes.

FORMER Saints coach Eric Hughes is taking over Wigan's Alliance and Academy sides.

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