Daniel Anderson: Paul Sculthorpe will be fine

Apr 12 2008

Paul Sculthorpe, St Helens

St Helens coach Daniel Anderson allayed fears that Paul Sculthorpe had suffered another injury setback in the 10-try romp over Harlequins by revealing his second-half substitution was nothing to worry about.

The talismanic forward - making his 250th appearance for Saints in the 58-12 win - was replaced after 53 minutes after appearing to strain his groin.

However, Anderson said that although Sculthorpe had taken a blow to the groin area, he and Kiwi forward Jason Cayless were both replaced merely as precautionary measures.

Former Great Britain skipper Sculthorpe was making his first appearance since the beginning of March, and Anderson said: “He got hit it in the nuts and, remember, this was only his second or third game this year, so 53 minutes was enough for him tonight.

“He was definitely blowing and that was making it difficult for him but there was nothing untoward.”

Leon Pryce emphatically ended fears of a crisis at Knowsley Road with a hat-trick as Saints effectively had the points in the bag by half-time.

The Challenge Cup holders touched down five times through Sean Long, Pryce (two), Francis Meli and James Roby.

Paul Wellens, Pryce, Matt Gidley and Ade Gardner (two) all struck after the break to take Saints’ tally to 10.

Long landed nine goals from 10 attempts and dovetailed superbly throughout alongside Pryce.

Pryce was unstoppable at times - and Anderson added: “He is very, very difficult to tackle and also made a big contribution defensively.

“There was a bit more steel about us but we played very well and have done our points difference some good.

“But we need to do it consistently.

“There was some nervousness before the game but there were some very nice tries.” The manner in which Anderson’s side swept Harlequins aside made the pain of last week’s miserable 30-24 defeat at struggling Castleford seemed like a distant memory. That Saints have faltered badly in recent weeks is undeniable - four defeats in their previous five games is proof enough - but they rarely looked in trouble against Brian McDermott’s men. Harlequins won at Knowsley Road in driving snow last season and have surprised a few observers this season with their strong start to the current campaign. They arrived on Merseyside in fifth spot but never looked capable of recording victory, despite first-half tries from Gareth Haggerty and Matt Gafa.

McDermott said: “We caught Saints at the wrong time and on the back of three losses they were always going to be dangerous.

“But I don’t think we were good at all tonight and we were poor throughout with the ball.” McDermott admitted that his side failed to cope with the Pryce, who ran amok throughout the game.

He said: “He’s 6ft 4in but sometimes when you see him running he looks like he is 8ft 12in.

“He ended up being 9ft 15in by the time that game finished. He’s a big man to stop.”