STAYING PUT! That was the response of Saints' boss Shaun McRae in answer to reports that he was heading back to Australia to take charge of his old club Canberra Raiders.

WHITTLE: How did the rumours start that you were lined up to take over from Tim Sheens after he moves to North Queensland Cowboys?

McRAE: I haven't a clue, but this week's Australian magazine Rugby League Week carried chapter and verse on the story. What I can say is that there has been no contact between Raiders and myself, and I fully intend to honour my three-year contract with Saints.

WHITTLE: 'Out of jail again!' So said the cynics after Saints' last-gasp win at Warrington. Did you see it that way?

McRAE: My first reaction to such remarks is to remind our critics that the game is played over a full 80 minutes and a one-point win is as good as a 100 in the final analysis. As you said last week Wilderspool is always one of Saints' toughest away trips and so it proved, and in my view we did well to eventually overcome a totally committed 'Wire' side and earn only our second victory there in seven years.

As Wigan would confirm and Saints are now discovering life is tough at the top, with every opposition preparing even harder in a desperate bid to knock you off your perch, and when Warrington captain Paul Cullen said that was his side's best performance of the season that also tells you something about Saints.

Looking back on events I go along with the general opinion that the game was an incident-packed 'belter' as you Poms say, and from a Saints angle I thought skipper Bobbie Goulding took a brave decision when he elected to go for goal when Alan Hunte was fouled because I had my doubts, but here again it was another indication of how Bobbie is maturing as a leader.

To summarise, I believe you make your own luck in this life and Rugby League in particular because it is full of ifs and buts, and for me the win at Warrington was largely a question of having faith in your team's ability to come back when apparently out for the count.

WHITTLE: Cup winners, league leaders and a 100 per cent record after 13 games. But a groundswell of opinion is critical of Saints' tactics, in particular over-use of the 'bomb' and no-risk approach. Any comment?

McRAE: In my honest opinion Saints don't put ENOUGH 'bombs' up! Because they are an integral part of the game and a legitimate ploy, in particular on the sixth tackle when they often pay dividends, as opposed to alternative options of running the ball or using some other type of kick. From a statistical angle Saints did not use the 'bomb' at Halifax, with the comparative figures being four at Wembley and five against Oldham and London Broncos, but I concede that the ratio did increase on Friday

As far as 'no risk' football, as you call it, is concerned, I would ask supporters to remember that _ being aware of Saints' fluent style _ opposing teams move up quickly on us and, in order to have the best possible start, turning the ball over and therefore giving the opposition chance to score, is the last thing Saints want to do hence the safety-first approach. WHITTLE: With the 'another Aussie forward for Knowsley Road' rumour apparently a non-starter, media speculation now centres on Paul Broadbent of Sheffield Eagles. True or false?

McRAE: My first inclination was to say 'rubbish!' but on reflection it would be more polite to state that there is no truth in either suggestion as far as I am aware.

WHITTLE: Vital tries against Wigan, Bradford at Wembley and now Warrington. What has Ian Pickavance got to do to make the starting line-up?

McRAE: Rugby League is nowadays a 17-man game and I reserve the right to use a player to the best advantage and Ian has proved that for the reasons already stated. While agreeing there may be some kudos in being in the first thirteen, selection is invariably a thorny problem of who to leave out, but at the end of the day strength in depth is vital and that applies equally to those on the 'bench.'

WHITTLE: What is the report from the medical room?

McRAE: Vila Matautia and Anthony Sullivan could be ready for the Castleford match; Dean Busby is in line for an 'A' team game tonight, while Andy Northey, Joey Hayes and Scott Gibbs are hopeful of playing against Sheffield.

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