LAST Friday's gate of 16,118 was Saints’ biggest home attendance since TWS hosted the derby with Wigan in July 2019.
It created the noisy backdrop to a great spectacle – and was coach Kristian Woolf’s first experience of a packed home derby given the impact of Covid restrictions since early 2020.
The game, which was dedicated to helping Tonga recover from the devastation caused by January’s tsunami, also saw a number of high profile dignitaries from the Pacific island in the crowd.
Woolf said: “I thought it was great to play in front what was very close to a full house and in front of that sort of atmosphere.
“I love the fans here and what our fans do. The singing and the atmosphere they create and the banter between the groups.
“We just don’t get that in Australia – it is something I know our players really enjoy as well.
“I hope our players are playing their part in the performances they are bringing and turning up for each other.
"I hope the fans keep turning up like they have tonight as well – the only time I have seen that here has been the World Club Challenge in 2020.
"It is what the players really enjoy.
“The atmosphere the experience and the way the players are turning up I would like to see that this is the full package that people would like to see.”
Saints played in front of 16,108 against Sydney Roosters in February 2020, with 17,088 attending the Wigan game of July 2019.
As part of the Tonga theme, the team wore shirts with the national flag which will be auctioned off.
The children of Saints' Tongan internationals Agnatius Paasi and Will Hopoate presented the match ball and there was a host of flags at the game to provide a backdrop.
The club are currently also collecting kit to be sent over to the islands and the night gave that appeal a boost.
“There were a couple of high profile people here, we had the High Commissioner from London with her husband and their body guard.
“Tonga is a long way away but there was a couple of hundred people from England and Wales who made the effort to turn up tonight.
“It was great to see some old faces and familiar faces as well.
“Overall it was an outstanding night for the club – and an outstanding night for Tonga as well,” Woolf said.
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