SAINTS boss Justin Holbrook gave his view on rugby league matters when the Star’s Mike Critchley caught up with him at the Cowley training ground.

MC: It is not ideal having a week off so soon, but did you make the most of a bad lot?

JH: We trained as normal and then got the session against the Sydney Roosters on Friday which was really good for our players.

It was not just about helping them beat Wigan, they had their own idea on that.

But it was good for our boys to train against the Roosters while they were here – in particular the young boys like Jack Welsby, Lewis Dodd and Josh Simm, who had only watched these players from afar.

That was a really good experience for them which will benefit them.

It was a good opportunity to watch them prepare to play a side who we are going to play against – a good experience for our other coaches as well to get an idea on how they go about it.

I thought Sunday’s game was good as well – I was obviously going for the Roosters but I did not want them to win by much because I want our competition to look strong back in the NRL.

Wigan did a great job in pushing them all the way.

MC: Is the date of the World Club an issue for teams left idle?

JH: There’s no easy answer. It is better at the end of the season because whoever is in your team to be champions plays in that game - but Test football kicks in after the Super League has finished.

The World Club date is not perfect timing but it is much better than not having it at all.

MC: It is early days yet but how think the rule changes have gone?

JH: Full credit to Robert Elstone and Steve Ganson for pushing it.

All the coaches agreed on it – and I knew it would be better for our game. That is our strength as a sport – how fast our game is played and how honest we are.

There are still players who trying to milk penalties which I don’t like, but that is up to the refs to ignore some of the things they are trying to get. After that, the game will be in a really good place.

MC: There has been plenty a fuss about the dual reg system this past week, does that strengthen the lobby to sort out the reserves?

JH: I am not sure. They have been talking about the reserves thing ever since I got here 20 months ago.

We just get on with it and whether they change it or not we have just got to accept it and get on with it.

MC: You mentioned Jack Welsby earlier – he had a great autumn – what do you expect of him this year?

JH: He has trained fantastic ­— but he will start the year in the 18s when their year kicks off. I don’t want to put any expectations on him, but he won’t be out of place in our side that’s for sure.

MC: Do players like Jack - with star quality - jump out at you?

JH: They tend to. Obviously the talent gets your attention first but then when that is backed up with hard work and desire those are the ingredients for a top player – and Jack has got all of that and is displaying it at training every day.

He has a great attitude – is a player that is well liked here already and he is only young.

But if you are good enough you are old enough – he won’t be far off.