Big defence will be key to play-off victory (From St Helens Star)

Big defence will be key to play-off victory

11:51am Friday 28th September 2012 in Latest News

SAINTS go into Saturday’s Super League play-off semi final full of confidence after coming out on top last time around.

And coach Mike Rush, who relinquishes his temporary post at the end of this season for the incoming Nathan Brown, was under no illusions where the key to the way they have bounced into these crunch games has come from – defence.

“Grand Finals are won on defence and that has been proven over the last decade.

“Therefore after the Wakefield game we knew we had to defend an awful lot better and that refocused our mind.

“We knew defence was going to be a big part of the run in towards the end of the season.

“It is built on the training field and people’s understanding grows – we have had a pretty settled team for the past five or six weeks and that helps.

“We do have players who can play multiple positions so we can swap, change and rotate players, but when they are changing positions defensively they are still getting things right.

“That is the most pleasing thing – but defence is an attitude and that has been our biggest plus.”

Saints will still be without England centre Michael Shenton for the clash, which kicks off at 6.15pm.

But he can call upon the services of the experienced Chris Flannery and Ade Gardner if he wishes to tweak his winning team.

“There are options and people who are moveable who can play front row and people who can play in the outside backs so we have options.

“At the minute we have a pretty fit top squad with only Shaun Magennis and Shenny definitely ruled out,” he said.

Saturday’s game kicks off at 6.15pm and Saints have urged the fans to turn up and make a noise.

The club currently have tickets left, even in the west stand.