Lolesi: We have to work hard to turn this around

Saints exited the Challenge Cup at the first hurdle after losing 53-10.

Lolesi said: “We caught Cas on a day when they can put it together.

“They are a good side when you let them play on top of you like we did.

“On behalf of the coaching staff and the squad I want to apologise to our fans who paid hard earned money to come out and watch that.

“It must have been hard for them.

“We did the complete opposite of what we did on Easter Monday.

“Back then we competed hard and made it tough for them to play.

“If you let them play they get into a rhythm and the moves come out.

“You have to put them into a tough rugby league game, go end to end, and challenge them physically.

“We didn’t do that.

“We had a go for 10 minutes in the first half and when we were asked to play it tough and knuckle down we went into our shells.

“We didn’t play good enough to expose any of their frailties.

“We weren’t good enough on any level and I don’t think we won any contest whatsoever.”

On the impending arrival of new coach Justin Holbrook, Lolesi added: “There aren’t any excuses, we have to work hard to get this turned around.

“Justin should be here later in the week and we do need someone to come in and try something different to get this group going.

“We are in a hole at the moment - we didn’t compete for 60 minutes last week and 80 this week which is disappointing and worrying.

“We will be working over the weekend to see if we can fix it.

“We have some issues we have to sort out, there’s no secret there, and we will deal with them internally.

“We have a group of men that need to stand up and start doing better for the club.”

Lolesi, however, issued a rallying cry in the aftermath of the debacle, urging the fans to stay with the club.

“I feel for the fans.

“I know they are frustrated and to put out a performance like that was unacceptable.

“We need to stick together as a club and try and get through this,” he said.