SAINTS' back-to-back Grand Final win in 2000 was the last waltz for two popular Samoan players who had enjoyed successful playing stints at Knowsley Road.

And Apollo Perelini and Freddie Tuilagi made sure they signed off in style - marking the victory with their own dance at the packed out homecoming.

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Perelini had joined the club after the Rugby Union World Cup where he had been part of the Western Samoan team that had shocked Wales.

He came to the 13-man code in 1994, with the nickname the Terminator.

The powerhouse prop slowly but surely showed what he was made of - explosive running and bone-crunching tackling.

He bagged 44 tries in 193 appearances in the red vee - and none more important than two of those in the double-winning 1996 campaign.

His try at the Bobbie's Bombs, Ultimate Comeback Challenge Cup Final at Wembley finally made sure that the old trophy was coming back to St Helens after a 20 year wait.

But even more important was his late try to snatch a win against London Broncos - hurtling to the line and resisting the challenge of three defenders to somehow get the ball over the whitewash.

The video ref needed more than a few extra looks before giving it the thumbs up.

A Grand Final winner in 1999, Perelini's rugby league swansong came in the 2000 Old Trafford 29-16 triumph against Wigan - joining Sale Sharks after that.

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He would, however, return as Saints' strength and conditioning coach in 2004 and was an integral part of the back room staff that went on to win the treble in 2006.

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Compatriot Fereti Tuilagi enjoyed two winning years at Saints after being recruited from Halifax by Ellery Hanley.

Although an outside back, Tuilagi made a big impression off the bench as an impact player.

He certainly knew how to crash tackle - with an unorthodox technique - and his powerful bursts with the ball were also a big feature.

His strike rate was good, too, scoring 21 tries in 62 appearances in those two seasons before joining Leicester rugby union.

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He did sign off in style, busting over for a vital try in a Grand Final that was tighter than the scoreline suggests.

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And of course, he entertained us with his shuffle.

But that was just the warm up for the Samoan double act's party piece at the homecoming.

Happy days.

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