Rush praise for Makinson after 18-point haul (From St Helens Star)

Mike Rush praise for 18-point Tommy Makinson

12:53pm Monday 30th July 2012 in Latest News

MIKE Rush praised Tommy Makinson after the winger scored 18-points in Saints’ victory over Huddersfield – and the coach admitted Ade Gardner will have a real battle on his hands to wrestle a starting jersey from the youngster.

Makinson, 21, has impressed this season with his finishing, kick returns and goalkicking.

And his eye for the try-line was again demonstrated last night when he got Saints up and running against Huddersfield with a skilful one-handed touchdown in the corner.

Afterwards Rush said: “Tommy is a skilful footballer and he deserves his position on the wing. When Ade (Gardner) is back – and he is now back in training – he is going to have to wrestle that shirt from Tommy.

“Tommy won't give it up lightly and neither should he. That is what you need. Towards the back end of the season, the boys need that competition for places so that when they go out on the field they know they are playing for their shirts.

“His goalkicking was good for us tonight too. He and Jonny (Lomax)both practise hard. They never shy away from it and for young players it is a big ask to keep going out there and having a crack at it.”

Meanwhile, despite some eye catching attacking rugby it was the discipline of his side that the coach appeared most pleased with in the 46-12 victory , which took his side back up to third in the Stobart Super League.

Rush added: “We spoke during the week that we needed to take responsibility for the penalties we give away. At Catalans we gave away a couple of high shots and had a couple of blokes making leg tackles and holding on.

“So we have spoken about that – but it is no good just doing it once we have to make sure between now and the end of the season we are better with our discipline on the field.

"If you want to be competitive and push for honours. Against top sides you can’t afford to give them away – and at Catalans we gave away four last tackle penalties – so you are basically saying ‘come and have 12 goes at us’. You can’t afford to do that – and today I thought we were a lot better in that area.”

“For 10 minutes I think we did clock off and we spoke about that at half time about staying ruthless – but it is about keeping your skill levels and concentration.

“I don’t want to moan because we’ve had a good win but there was a couple of times today where the pass went behind the man – so that skill level has got to be better and you need to turn half breaks into points.”