Saints' Graham: Lions have much to prove

Nov 13 2007 by Ian Laybourn, Liverpool Daily Post

ST HELENS forward James Graham has called for a reality check in the wake of Great Britain’s Test Series whitewash of New Zealand.

The 22-year-old Liverpudlian is also urging his sport’s governing body to reduce the demands made on Super League players, after his 38th match of a season which began for him on the first weekend of February and spanned 10 months.

Graham played in all three Tests against the Kiwis as Great Britain pulled off their first series win for 14 years and sent hopes soaring for the 2008 World Cup.

But the young front rower believes Britain will be seen as a major force only if they can repeat this season’s efforts – and admits the real test will come against world champions Australia.

"Things are going well, but we shouldn’t get carried away," he said.

"I don’t think a series win is going to change anyone’s mind about Great Britain rugby league.

"We’ve put the series to bed now, so let’s look at the future. I don’t think people will take us seriously until we consistently put victories together.

"One series win isn’t good enough. You’ve got to do it on a consistent basis. We don’t want to have a group of lads in 14 years’ time saying ‘come on, we haven’t won a series for however long’.

"There is no way we’re going to accept just this one series victory."

Despite issuing his note of caution, Graham admits there were a host of positives to emerge from the Test Series – and that there are signs of a bright new future for the national side.

Coach Tony Smith has had to cope with the international retirement of Graham’s St Helens team-mates Paul Sculthorpe, Sean Long and Keiron Cunningham – and he was denied the services through injury of Lee Gilmour, Garreth Carvell and Richard Horne, who all went on the 2006 Tri-Nations tour.

But Smith gave debuts in the series to Sam Burgess, Maurie Fa’asavalu, Jon Clarke and Jamie Jones-Buchanan and used 23 players in all to demonstrate the new-found depth of his squad.

"We’ve a nice blend of youth and experience, and I think we’re going places," said Graham.

"Look at the players who missed out as well.

"I know New Zealand were missing players, but you can only beat what’s in front of you. We’re happy with the victory – but we’re hungry for more."

Graham, the 2006 Super League young player of the year who missed the last Tri-Nations series with a hand injury, is sure to be among Smith’s plans for the World Cup – but he admits next season is far from his current thoughts.

"I’m excited about having some time off," said Graham, who missed just one of Saints’ 35 league and cup matches this year.

"I started on the fourth of February and finished on November 10th. It’s a bit of a farce how long they ask us to play for.

"You don’t even get any rest with the Challenge Cup when you play with a successful side like St Helens.

"It’s not my call – it’s people above me who need to think about that – but the season they’ve asked us to do is ridiculous.

"I’m looking forward to a nice break and a nice holiday. I don’t want to think about the World Cup at all really."