Paul Wellens' reaction to Saints' Magic win over Huddersfield

He singled out Tommy Makinson's four-try effort but especially the way the 1,6 and 7 combined and the way they all worked hard for each other.

MC: You must be delighted with that performance, Paul?

PW: Yes, very happy. I had a great feeling all week, the way the group started the week at training there was a real energy about them.

We also had a couple of fresh bodies back in the mix in Mark Percival and Matty Lees and there was a real energy.

I sensed a for big performance and by that I'm not talking about racking up points, but a team that's sticking true to its identity and working hard for each other and shows that desperation when it's needed, but also have the quality in attack and be able to work together.

MC: You always have to do the tough stuff early on against Huddersfield – you dealt with that and didn't panic after that early try.

PW: No, exactly that. Huddersfield are a very workmanlike team and they are always going to challenge you in that respect, but we like that side of the game too.

We knew that we could stick at it and really work hard for each other and we would get get some opportunities. But we got more opportunity than I thought we thought we would.

But at the same time, we were good enough to take them when they came. I was very pleased with the way we attacked and that is probably the best we've attacked for some time really. Hopefully that is kind of a blueprint for us to build on.

MC: The attack just really clicked - and playing with confidence. How big a factor is confidence in your attack?

PW: The confidence was there and you could see that during the week.

We were also very good in terms of the detail in how we attacked and like I've already mentioned I thought I was 7, 6 and 1 were instrumental in the way we played today.

They actually worked together really well and the best they have for a long time and when they do that they are as good a combination as there is.

MC: And you kept on playing - even when they buckled?

PW: I was really strong with the group all week that we needed to perform well, and consistently well for the 80 minute period.

We've shown signs of what we can do this year but not done that with a consistency that we did it today.

That's very pleasing but the challenges in Super League come thick and fast and you know in five days we've got a Derby.

It's a fresh challenge so while we want to build on that, we have to not get carried away, but at the same time take a lot of confidence.

MC: What gave you the biggest smile Tommy's four tries or his pass to Joey Lussick.

PW: Yeah, I think they are seeing Joey’s little legs scamper in at the end was a pleasing one. But I'm absolutely delighted for Tommy.

We have had numerous conversations over the last few weeks whilst he's not been playing poorly I've said I think he’s got more in his game.

People will come away talking about Tommy scoring four tries but I loved his defensive work, the way he was on the end of the line making strong decisions.

And you know when Tommy gets that side of his game, right as well as the finishing, you have the complete winger and he is up there undoubtedly with the best in the world.

MC: You will have a bit of a headache next week trying to squeeze Morgan Knowles into that side aren't you?

PW: Well, honestly, the last couple of weeks where I've been having those headaches. It's been difficult but much better than most been I've been previously.

So I've got players now competing to get in the team and I said to the players before the game, that we've got good players not in the 17 today and good players who are disappointed who would love to love to be playing out there.

So I said we have a responsibility if you are in the 17 to go out and perform for the players who haven’t got the opportunity. I think you saw that today.

The difficult decisions that I have to make as a coach around selection are not always easy but they are done with the best interest of the group at heart.

And whilst guys are disappointed that they are missing out they know that they need to ready as they can be called upon at any time.

MC: A strong first from Sione Mata’utia in the middle there. Are you seeing him playing more in the middle now because he was pretty forceful there, wasn’t he?

PW: He was excellent there and then he moved to an edge where he's really good. What I don't want to do is really pigeon-hole Sione there.

I think when we brought him to the club he was someone who could play middle, but also edge.

I see a bit of flexibility there and the biggest compliment I can pay him he’s not bothered. He's just how happy to get out there and happy to compete.

I think he's equally effective wherever equally so and I think that's shown today.

When you have the likes of Sione and Agnatius coming off the bench and I thought Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook today for a 37 year old was excellent too.

So those guys that came off the bench gave us a huge lift and I include Joey Lussick in one.

MC: We've had situations in the past where Magic has been a catalyst for kicking the season forward. Are you hoping this can be one of those?

PW: We hope so. If you look at this performance. We talk about our identity as a team, people will watch that and go ‘that's a St Helens team that we know’. We certainly want to build on that.

We know that there are challenges down the track and there are always ups and downs.

But if we can pull together as a group like we have done today we are going to be very difficult to beat.