I was dreading the minutes silence, and expected Saints' fan base to be tarnished by the actions of a sizeable proportion of an ale fuelled crowd.

Gladly as fans we were magnificent, despite the fact that the majority of us despised the guy on the field for some of the most blatant and premeditated acts of thuggery I've ever seen in a game of RL.

Fantastic that, despite the drink and the emotion of the occasion, we were able to rise above a cheap shot which would have seriously damaged the rep. of the club and realise that the rugby player doesn't necessarily represent the man.

As above, deepest sympathy for the family.

I'm amazed at just how many people from Saints and elsewhere underestimated our fan base. I wasn't at all surprised that we honoured the minute's silence so perfectly because we always do, more often than not for people we have never even heard of never mind seen play!

Slightly off topic but Terry Newton related.

What a fantastic gesture by Adrian Morley yesterday to be one of the "carriers" of Newtons coffin.

The funeral was at 2 p.m. and the England players were due to fly out New Zealand yesterday.

I was worried about the "two games a season" crowd, who orchestrated the Newton chants each time he faced us. Not the real rugby fans, there was never a doubt they'd behave impeccably whatever their personal thoughts on Newton.



Aye, we'd heard of Newton alright. He was the guy who put paid to Saints GF hopes in 2005 with some disgraceful acts of thuggery, because his own team were being knocked out by us.

That was exactly the reason I was concerned of a beer fuelled reaction from a loud minority.

Did all the england players delay flying to New Zealand yesterday or was it just Morley?

I think they all flew in the evening as O'Loughlin was also at Newtons funeral.

Fielden has also delayed his departure on a brighter note as his wife is due to give birth any time now! Should have been induced Wednesday but this has been delayed.