It is and he was. I would also add that it was one more game along the road for our new players to integrate. They need to be given time but many on here were writing off Hohaia ages ago (not me, you may recall).

People do forget that we played an absolute blinder against Wigan on Good Friday last season. These players were fully capable of playing a significant amount better than they did between the Catalans game and last night. They chose not to. Why they chose not to is an entirely different matter but nobody turns a team around in a week like they turned around. Their attitude was totally different.

And Roby made a massive difference. He stamped his authority on things straight away, set the pace and charged forward. He gave direction and oomph to our forwards that had been lacking in his absence because he is one of our go-to players and everyone needs them.

The rot didn't set in before Roby was injured. Roby was injured during our Huddersfield loss. Catalans was typical early season annoying lack of defensive effort. We haven't been the only team to suffer from it. All teams have leaked points this season. We looked wobbly at one point last night too when Leeds got their try. One up rugby returned for a while and I thought the tables were going to turn again. But the try triggered the right response from Saints and they took note of the consequences of their previous attitude and got going again.

It also helped that we didn't have Foster and Gaskell on the pitch. They had both become liabilities and needed a break.

A very good performance. I think we need to accept that Leeds were without Danny Maguire a key player for them this season. We also too some liberties with them where JJB would have been defending. Had these two players been on the field we would have had a much harder game. We also managed to get most of the 50/50s from Bentham. It really was a night when everything went for us.

Having said that a lot of good things happened last night. We played a great open brand of Rugby. I would have been pretty happy if we had lost playing like that.

We went for an experienced team that looked a lot calmer than in previous weeks. We got quick play of the balls that helps us get a great role on. Both our wing/centre combos looked like they knew each other. Wheeler and Meli looked especially good together. The pack looked strong and the inclusion of Maggenis in the second half gave us the energy to finish what we started in the first half. Hohaia kicked very well and dismissed the myth (that I believed) that Gaskell is the only good kicker in the squad.

A very good night.

Yes but then we can sack two more coaches and hammer Wigan on Good Friday. Come on man show some forward thinking.

I'd just like to offer my congratulation to you all for the result on Sunday. Whilst we didn't play as well as we could, those putting the result down to Leeds being rubbish rob Saints of the credit they deserve. It was good to see the Saints of old back.

...I just wish it had been against a different team!

My 1st post after the game and whilst this may be a reaction to the new coaching regime from the players, I've not seen Saints play like that for 4 or 5 years. We were absolutely sensational all across the park. Everyone in the 17 had a strong game, some more than others, but everyone contributed in some way.

We played with incredible aggression in the pack offensively and defensively - everyone of them were fantastic. Perry did exactly what we had hoped he would do from the start - excellent display and gives me optimism for his future, Puletua was outstanding in the back row (I'm excited to see him alongside Soliola), Wilkin worked tirelessly, Laffranchi was strong, Roby superb, LMS gave us great impact and both Magennis and Clough worked very hard. 4 forwards on the bench meant we were able to sustain the pressure and we were relentless. Leeds didn't stand a chance and their try came from a huge forward pass.

The backs off the back of it were top quality and that was all down to the great work of the half backs who completely controlled the game. Hohaia was the calming influence with his kicking and organisation whilst Lomax was able to shine and do what he does best. Lomax put in his best ever Saints display IMO, better than his performance last year at the DW Stadium. Gardner and Meli on the wings were fantastic, especially Gardner. They were like two wild bulls bringing that ball back, Leeds must've been fed up and they both gave us great momentum early in the sets. Gardner's tries were fantastic especially his 1st try, it was like he wound the clock back 5 years along with Wellens, who was superb also.

Most importantly for me, we were ruthless and entertaining to watch. We offloaded the ball and played with a freedom that we've not done since the Millward / Anderson era. I'm excited to see us play like this and the with the players we have on board we've got a good chance if we can continue in that type of form. Absolutely immense Saints, the 1st real special night at Langtree Park and I can't wait to see more.

COYS!

Top post and couldn't agree more. It was like watching a real Saints team back, I actually left the ground with a big smile.

It's going to be mighty interesting to see if we can replicate it or whether it was a one of, with us being up for it and Leeds being distracted and unprofessional, which they clearly were. I've read Peacock's tweets denying it, but I also read his before the game when he banged on about the weather, the sunshine, his pink hair etc...

The performance was stellar, but it was in the face of absolutely nothing from Leeds, no intensity, no real effort or commitment. The argument can be made that we prevented them from playing, but I doubt Warrington next week will allow that on their turf. Their game against Wigan was another level in terms of intensity and we'll have to really step up again to get a result. It could go so many ways that I can't remember being this eager for a game in years. It's like we've had one part of a three part TV series and it's on a cliff hanger and we have to wait a week for the next instalment.

Feet on the ground folks. It's not surprising that one of the club's legends was able to inspire a performance like that on Sunday, but can he do it on a wet Tuesday night at Stoke?

Absolutely spot on. Totally agree with your post.

It wasn't the fact we won the game, but the manner in which we played - I was thoroughly entertained from minute 1 to minute 80. It was quite probably the best first half to a first half I have EVER seen from a Saints team - enthusiastic, tactically spot on, and ruthless. I think in the entire first half, Leeds had about 15 play the balls in our half, and half of those were the last tackle at the end of a set just in our half. I bet the number of play the balls in our red zone was single figures. That's incredible dominance really.

For me, there were echoes of Boxing Day 92 (well, the day after boxing day if we're being pedantic), and the 41-6 game against the pies. That was also a performance against the reigning champions that wasn't expected, and was the catalyst for our push towards the league (which we lost on points difference). The feeling leaving Langtree Park on Sunday was very similar to leaving Knowsley Road that day.

Whilst I am loving the moment, I realise that it's only one game, and the bigger test is whether we can sustain this performance over several weeks. I would hope we can. We may encounter losses over the nest few weeks, but as long as we play with the same enthusiasm, I will be happy. It feels like we're watching Saints again.

Last note - superb atmosphere, even before the rout started - thought the crowd really got behind the players as soon as they came out of the tunnel.

I certainly hope not otherwise he's got something very wrong.

yeah w/d it was a great performance by saints, although i think leeds didnt turn up take nothing away from the punishers.

Spot on and fully agree with everything. COYS