JUSTIN Holbrook has thanked the supporters for turning up in such large numbers - despite the freezing conditions - on the opening night of Super League.

A gate of 16,508 packed the stadium on a bitterly cold Thursday night to provide the perfect backdrop for the New Beginnings.

And their volume did not go unnoticed by the new players in the Saints ranks.

Holbrook said: "I want to give the fans a wrap.

"To turn up in such big numbers given how cold it was is a massive effort.

"The new players in particular commentated that they had a lot of respect for the fans who turned out because it was freezing and it would have been so easy to stay at home and watch it on TV.

"That is the beauty of our sport."