SAINTS coach Kristian Woolf paid tribute to record-breaking James Roby after the skipper set the record for the most Super League appearances in the 26-18 win over Hull KR.

Roby, now into his fourth season as skipper, celebrated his 455th Super League game with a try in a hard-fought victory at the Totally Wicked Stadium as he moved clear of Leeds Rhinos Kevin Sinfield in the appearance charts.

Woolf said: "James played 80 minutes and that's what he does so well. He deserves all the accolades he gets.

"We are very lucky to have him. The group are very much in his image. I think he gets a bit embarrassed and to be honest he'd rather go without it.

"He's such a humble bloke with all he's achieved and all he's won. He's won so many things and it's hard for anyone else to get ahead of themselves with him in our dressing room."

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Hull KR coach Tony Smith was also full of praise for the record breaker, whom he briefly coached with England.

He said: "James Roby is a pleasure to watch. He's a champion and I have always loved watching him. He's a freak of rugby league - he looks like he can keep going for a lot longer yet.

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"Robes is a warhorse. He does all the little things well. He's a true competitor and has got those batteries that never wear out.

"This record will take some beating. If anyone does I hope they're as good a person as James Roby."

Saints scored five tries to Hull KR's three, but Woolf admitted his side could not maintain their early pace.

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He said: "We fell away from what we were doing well in the first half.

"Probably we got a bit frustrated with what was going on in the ruck.

"Once we got back to what we were doing we looked good. We can't give away the penalties we did, we have got to get smarter in those situations."