SAINTS boss Keiron Cunningham looks ahead to Friday's Super League semi-final against Leeds, in conversation with the Star's Mike Critchley.

MC: A quick reflection about the last outing?

KC: We just looked tired, you could tell the three weeks before that had taken a bit of a toll. I have no qualms about the result, Warrington came to play. They were the better side on the night and got what they deserved. They wanted to send off a few senior players off with a bang.

Would have been nice to get the win, but I am pretty happy with where we are ahead of this week’s big game.

MC: How important is getting the extra day this week?

KC: It definitely does help, regardless of what people say in the press.

We have a young squad that needs education all the time and the more we get to put into them the better it is for us as a club. We are always thankful of an extra day.

To get two days on the field to iron out a few things is massive.

MC: The Leeds story been building all year – and Friday is last day at Headingley for Peacock and Sinfield. Can you change the script?

KC: I am really pleased for Mac (Brian McDermott) and for all those players involved. Consistently throughout the year, Leeds have been the best side and at sometimes have been untouchable.

I thought they deserved to finish first. It would have been a travesty had they not finished top. It shows how the hyenas pounce after a few losses.

We don’t do that as a club and know they are great side who will be firing on Friday at Headingley.

We have to be ready for that.

MC: Their win over Huddersfield was a fair old battle – that must have taken something out of them?

KC: You would like to think so. This is a semi final – with a Grand Final place at stake. It will be a tough old Saints v Leeds game, as they all are and it will be tooth and nail. Let's just hope we put in a good show.

MC: You won the last meeting, psychologically how important is that?

KC: Leeds have won three of the four – two of them convincingly. You can't read too much into past games, it is about going there and doing your best.

MC: How are Alex Walmsley and Travis Burns shaping up for this one?

KC: We are hopeful on Alex, but can't say yes or no. We are hopeful and we missed his carries the other day.

With Travis we will see how he is in training an when the dice land at the end of the week we will make those calls, but we are not in a bad spot.

MC: Getting to this time of the year, how important is it to be able to call on last year when the team won against the odds?

KC: Last year was about having those players involved, regardless of the result – but to have them winning, success breeds success and you generally go on an win more trophies.

We hope to kick on.

MC: Is this competition format better?

KC: I love it, it is great. Whoever came up with the formula deserves credit. Even when the top was sorted and it looked like there was going to be nothing games, it never turned out like that. They weren't nothing games. You forget what pride and passion for a club that cant even qualify.

It is good format and and the Middle 8s is good too, although my missus has been going mad because I have had rugby on all the time – TV, i-pads an phones. It was always going to be uncharted ground, but it has been brilliant.

MC: Has any team surprised you this year?

KC: I really thought Warrington would be flying this year with who they signed. I thought they would be a different entity and this year has not quite gone their way.

But if you look at the four there cant be any complaints – the top four are the genuinely the best in the competition.

MC: League needs a big finale – it is up against a lot of competition at minute, particular with the rugby union World Cup.

KC: Of course, but we don’t get any bigger finishes than Friday night at Wigan and Huddersfield.

As a rugby league fan you can't ask for more than what we are delivering as teams that what we try to do and try do well every week.