St Helens coach confident in re-energised team

Jun 30 2007 by Peter Guy, Liverpool Daily Post

ST HELENS coach Daniel Anderson believes his team have been re-energised by the international break and are thriving on their status as perennial favourites.

The engage Super League champions will hope to maintain the pace at the top of the table when they host sixth-placed Huddersfield today.

They will go into the Knowsley Road encounter refreshed after Great Britain’s Test victory over France, with Anderson feeling his whole squad benefited from the game.

Senior internationals Paul Wellens and Leon Pryce were rested as the Lions fielded an inexperienced side while the likes of Jon Wilkin, James Roby, Ade Gardner and James Graham all returned in buoyant mood.

Anderson said: “They have been in good spirits and we’ve had quite bubbly training sessions this week.

“I am sure the guys that didn’t play feel good for the mental break and those that did, their performances did them very good.

“It would have been an ambition for them and they were pretty excited about that.

“This week in training we have had players that have been quite relaxed and others who have been pretty buoyant.”

The spirit in the Saints camp bodes well for the remainder of the season as Anderson again chases glory on two fronts.

With 11 games of the regular season to go Saints remain firm favourites for the title, despite the close attention of Leeds and Bradford, and are through to the Challenge Cup semi-finals.

“In the last 50 or 60 games we have probably been favourites in all but two or three of them,” Anderson added.

“It is not something that really concerns us. It brings out the best in us.”

Anderson also believes his side will draw strength from the enthusiasm which accompanied the unveiling of plans for a new stadium this week.

The Australian, who intends to return home after his contract ends next year, said: “The fans will be excited. The announcement of the new stadium gives everyone a boost.

“They’ve been crying out for a significant landmark and they will get that with the new stadium.

“The only disappointing thing for me is that I will not be here to see it.”

Saints are again likely to be without scrum-half Sean Long for the visit of the Giants due to a calf injury while winger Francis Meli remains on the sidelines.

Huddersfield are hoping centre Stuart Jones can return to face his old club after two games out while Chris Thorman and Kevin Brown are fit after Great Britain duty.

Anderson said: “There is no doubt it is going to be a difficult game. We have been fully aware of that in preparation.”