A WONDERFUL spectacle and silverware success as a bonus. So said Saints boss Shaun McRae after his high-flying squad had narrowly outpointed Bradford Bulls in a real cliffhanger at Wembley.

WHITTLE: A trophy at last! That was the mood of ecstatic Saints' fans as they toasted the lads on Saturday night. What were your impressions of a truly tremendous 80 minutes?

McRAE: It ever there was a great advert for summer rugby this was it, with sunny weather meaning a shirt-sleeved crowd bigger than any I have seen in Australia, while plenty of points on a perfect pitch kept the issue in doubt and guaranteed that no one left before the final hooter sounded.

It says something for the fitness of both Bradford and ourselves that the breathtaking pace of the game was maintained in oppressive heat, and I have it on the authority of BBC summariser Joe Lydon that the temperature soared to 106 degrees at one point on the on-field thermometer.

Obviously there was a great demand for liquid refreshment by the teams - non-alcoholic I hasten to add! - and there were many tired bodies by 4pm but no more so than in wintry conditions of snow, rain, and ice, with both teams finding renewed vigour to climb those 39 steps for their medals.

On reflection a great day for all concerned, not least the team and myself who knew just how much winning the Challenge Cup meant to the Saints supporters, and although I have been to Wembley before with Australia this was my first experience of a Cup Final and it is one I shall never forget. WHITTLE: Were you worried when Saints trailed 26-12 with just 24 minutes left to play.

McRAE: I remember thinking there was still enough time to come back, but also believed that if the Bulls managed to score next Saints could have been dead and buried. Fortunately for us it did not work out that way and after Keiron Cunningham touched down we were in with a chance.

WHITTLE: Bobbie Goulding's celebrated 'bombs' were obviously well rehearsed in the build-up to Wembley. Can you elaborate on this?

McRAE: Study of video tapes and information from other sources led us to the conclusion that Bradford full-back Nathan Graham was 'suspect' under the high ball and naturally we put him to the test. But the irony was that he was virtually faultless in the first half and also made some good breaks, but remembering that he still had to face the sun I told Bobbie Goulding to keep the pressure on Graham and the rest is history.

The Bulls' full-back was badly at fault in allowing the first 'bomb' to bounce, but in deference to him I have to say that his team-mates failed to give him the right sort of cover for the other two.

WHITTLE: On the premise that you can't please everyone in this life some fans were rather critical that no fewer than five of Saints' tries came from kicks. How would you answer that?

McRAE: I knew that Bradford would lie well up on Saints and a good kicking game was vitally important to counter this and, for heaven's sake, this is an integral part of the pattern of Rugby League football. Like life itelf the game is about taking chances, and when Goulding fired his rockets at the Bulls he surrendered possession and ran the risk of giving them the benefit of a zero tackle or a 22-metre tap restart of play.

So you can't have it both ways, and to draw an analogy it's similar to deciding whether you put the sugar and milk in first when making a cup or tea - the end result is just the same, and that applies as to how you score, because points on the board is the bottom line.

WHITTLE: What are your abiding memories of Wembley 1996?

McRAE: Ensuring that no stone was left unturned in the preparation; the emotional moments in the tunnel; how quickly time flew after the kick-off; relief when matters had gone Saints' way; the sporting manner in which both teams conducted themselves throughout, and the wonderful supporters who contribute so much to the unique Wembley atmosphere.

Some people have said that I was conspicuous by my absence on the pitch and there is some truth in that, because I was seated near the Royal Box but in radio contact with my assistant Mike Gregory for the full 80 minutes. As for the victory lap that's for the players because it is they who deserved the accolades. But my old mate and Bradford coach Brian Smith sought me out to congratulate Saints and warned me the Bulls would be out for revenge next season!

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