Wow, I realise now why I've never bothered with friendlies. No intensity, rusty attack and non-existent defending.

It is hard to really judge anything from the game, given how slow and lacking in intensity it was. But I didn't see much from either Laffranchi or Flanagan to suggest either is anything more than an extra body to add depth. LMS impressed me tonight though, he seems to have bulked up nicely and I think he's going to develop into a sensational player. He won't be able to match Jammer's workrate but I don't think anyone ever could. We're a prop light even when you throw TP back in. You will always have one or two forwards injured such is the nature of their role and we've not got enough big men to cope. Roby was a standout again tonight, we need him to stay fit this season and I would suggest the club removes him from the field whenever a game is won to preserve him.

Onto the backs, a typical early season Saints performance. Slow, defensively woeful and very rusty. Ade looked back his usual self, as if he'd never been away, Meli was very dumb but also our brightest back. Wheeler still looking fat and disinterested.

The halfbacks were bright tonight I thought. J-Lo was lively and I thought Lee Gaskell was our best player tonight. He glides across the field effortlessly and ghosts through gaps that don't exist to the naked eye. I think we're going to regret the length, value and existence of Lance's contract. He proved to be exactly what I thought he would, poor hands, poor kicking, poor defensively and reasonably lively in attack. I can understand why we signed him, knowing Kyle was off and not knowing if either J-Lo or Lee would make it, but seeing as they did, it's an expensive signing we just don't need. He was given the starting role tonight and looked likely to be from now on, but should he? Is he a better player than either Lomax or Gaskell? I don't think he is.

Tom Makinson at fullback? Yes. Very comfortable under the high ball, beats the first man, makes metres and is dangerous in both broken play and linking into the line. Wellens HAS to be moved and from the start of the season, no need to ease Makinson in, just give him the shirt for the season.

I agree with m of that my sad friend.

I kind of agree also - I think Lance might turn into a good signing (he looked good sporadically on the run but was a bit poor otherwise - God knows where the MOTM came from), but I'd still rather have risked keeping Leon instead and 4 years is just simply way too long to commit to an overseas player in the backend of their playing career in these days of salary caps and quotas, no matter who the player might be. If we'd got him for 2 then you could call it a good bit of business but 4 was just way too much...

The problem with playing lance and lomax in the halves is they are similar style players, their first instinction is to run at the line.

Lance has been played mostly fullback for past 10 years where he's made his name clearing his line on kick returns and joining the line in attack. He's used to having more space. I thought his ball handling looks pretty average as its not natural to him.

Lomax and lance ain't got a long kicking game and that's the worst kicking game I've seen from a pro club, my 11 year olds I coach kick better than that.

Lance and Lomax didn,t look quite right did it. When Gaskell came on the attack looked more dangerous be it with Lomax or Lance as his partner. Get the feeling Lance will interchange with Roby then Gaskell will come on, we can't afford to have Gaskell sat on the bench for 60 mins in a match.

The only thing I would disagree on was your choice of MOM, I thought Makinson by a country mile. He was outstanding at both full back and on the wing. Ashe really made an impact when he came on and looked very dangerous.

As far as Lance goes, it's harsh to judge him on one performance but I would say that if last night was typical of what we will get to see, it's going to be a long season. Another NZ international who isn't comfortable under a high ball. I can just see where Pat Richards will be kicking off to...

I reckon saints have got the friendly game right this year, one game played with a full strength squad. I really don't aee the point in games when obly a couple of first teamers play, or they only play for half a match and are replaced with reserves. Simmons and the team have a good idea of what needs sorting ahead of the opening game, and hopefully we can get through the first few games without dropping too many points or too many injuries.

Talking of injurys, did we get any last night? Can't believe wheeler and perry both survived a whole game unscathed

Don't forget we've also got a winger that couldnt catch a cold.

I was happy with that performance. To play so bad and still stick 42 on a super league side will do for me. I think when Lance and Lomax get into it they will be deadly! Lets not forget both had op's in the off season so are a few week behind the rest in terms of pre season training. Lance's biggest problem last night IMO was his thinking was far too advanced for some of our players this early in the season. It was great to see speed when returning kicks though. I'd prefer Makinson as our fullback with Wellens taking a backseat.

Browsing through the various forums and comments, it seems there's a bit of work to get the team up to scratch for the season (in two weeks time), and decisions to make with who plays where. I think Saddened makes some valid points. From a personal point of view, I really don't get why we don't just go with our own young St Helens lads who are top quality and the future of rugby league. This is our community sport and having local lads who have come up through the ranks make the game a lot more enjoyable for me, although having said that, I do enjoy Sia's big hits and the intensity brought to the game by overseas players. However, buying in players to 'retire', is just not good enough. Makinson was fantastic and deserves a place everytime, alongside Gaskell who in my opinion, totally changed the game with his appearance. Both Gaskell and Makinson played like they've never been away. Gaskell is a quality player and not just his kicking but try assists, ball handling and I remember watching his conversions in the U20's when he belted over the sticks every time. I love his natural laid back way of play. I thought Wheeler stood out too last night; even though he could have gone for glory and scored he passed the ball out showing and fostering team spirit....something of which I didn't see much of in the first half. I hope Wheeler stays fit and we see a lot more of him. Looking forward to the season now after the friendly - although I must admit my heart was in my mouth last night for the first half.... I think my season ticket was money well spent.

This, good post.

The only thing I would say is we need to accommodate Lomax, Gaskell and Hohaia. Gaskell can direct us aroun the pitch and bring a great kicking game whilst Lomax and Hohaia both bring the X factor and can turn a game in a moment.

In an ideal world we'd have Gaskell and Lomax playing with Hohaia as the back from the bench, or in a Robbie Burrow style role for five minutes at the end of each half.

But with the big reputation and status and ego Hohaia brings over, there isn't a chance he'll ever be dropped.

I completely agree to using him like Burrow is used for Leeds, could be a real threat. But you're right, he won't be dropped and that's a shame because Gaskell played very well indeed last night.

It will be a expensive signing if he's used in the burrow role of playing 15 mins a game.

I'd want to use him more than that, without a doubt. I think Gaskell has to play though, the team is a lot more balanced with him in it.

I'd drop Lomax before I dropped Gaskell as it stands, I may get shot down for this but at the back end of the season and in the friendly yesterday, Lomax didn't stand out for me at all and needs to raise his game.

I've said for long time now, Gaskell would be the first halfback on the team sheet if I was picking the side. He's a natural stand off and natural kicker which lomax and lance ain't.

Be intresting to see what Royce does in two weeks is he going to start the season without a kicking in the team which I think he will but like Pete if I was picking the team gaskell would been in the halfs before anyone

I think it might take some time this season for Royce to know what his best team will be.

Many of the players are of similar quality/standard and that makes it more challenging to pick whose the best for that position. I'm not saying they are of a poor standard, not at all but there are several who are difficult to pick between.

There will be some dillemas in the half back positions if everyone including Gary Wheeler stays fit for most of the season.

Although I like Lance Hohaia and he showed some nice touches with the ball, as other posters said the game turned when Lee Gaskell came on. We looked so much more better balanced with Gaskell on the pitch and with a transformed kicking game. Up to that point our kicking game had been absolutely woeful irrespective of the wind direction. It was dire in the second half until Gaskell came on and showed them how to do it.

I'm not convinced that Lomax and Hohiah will be the best combination at half back particularly at the sacrifice of a non existent kicking game. Whilst both players are certainly good the real issue is getting the best balance right.

I agree entirely. We were a different team with Gaskell on.

It has to be Gaskell alongside either Hohaia or J-Lo for me, with the other either on the bench (how exciting would that be as an interchange?)

With LH and JL on at the same time, we had little structure. Both great players, but don't complement each other due to being so similar in style.

I reckon the situation with these 3 will sort itself out. Can,t see these 3 being injury free or on top form all season, so Royce will play his cards with what will be the best option.
If Gaskell develops his game even more and Lance settles in quickly into the team, it's possible Lomax could be the bench player, nice situation to be in if all three are available.

Sounds like Lance himself knows he's not up to Gaskell or Lomax. Before he came over his interview responses were all about playing as the regular half back. Now they're all about how happy he is to play utility...

I feel a bit sorry for Hohaia actually. If he did indeed think he was coming over here to play in the halves and if he has subsequently found out that maybe that won't be happening then it must be tough on him.

How can you feel sorry for him it's up to him to prove he is a better half back then lomax and gaskell if he is performing then he will play in the halfs

That's rugby, yo could say you feel sorry for Gaskell when he didn't get the 6 jersey as its obvious Royce thinks lomax and lance are/was the halfbacks.

Lance is a good player and he will take the fullback spot this year.

I,m sure Lance will be a great asset for us this season. Personally I wouldn't pre judge him on the basis of one friendly game, he,s got to settle in and learn the set plays and understand the other players attributes.
Would like to see Nathan Ashe get more games at full back this season and I still reckon Makinson final position will be centre when Meli goes offski.