"WE'VE got...Benny Barba. We've got Benny Barba......"

The travelling fans were in good voice in praising their new hero in the game at Salford on Thursday night which booked Saints a place in the Super League semi-final.

Four games into his Saints career after 10 months away from rugby league, Barba looked a class act.

And he stepped up in what was a vital game - crossing late in the game to put the icing on the cake of a fine performance.

Coach Justin Holbrook said: “Ben Barba was probably the best player on the field. It was a big decision against Wigan to start him. We could have brought him off the bench against Wigan to play 40… and the next week at 60 and then he would be right to play 80, but we did not have the time.

“I thought he showed tonight that he can play the 80 minutes but we were proved right. We had to tread water a bit those early days but we know he is ready to play 80 minutes in a semi-final now."

Saints travel to League Leaders Shield winners Castleford in Thursday night's knock-out semi final with a place at Old Trafford for the winners.

There Barba's duel with Steve Prescott Man of Steel contender Zak Hardaker will be compelling.

Thursday's semi-final at Wheldon Road will kick off at 7.45pm. 

Leeds will entertain Hull FC in the other semi-final the following day.

The Grand Final is on Saturday, October 7.