Saints must prove their play-off credentials at Headingley

ST. HELENS are set to make their case for Grand Final glory when they take on the young guns of Leeds Rhinos tonight, Friday, at Headingley.

The revitalised Saints brushed aside third placed Halifax at Knowsley Road on Sunday but coach Shaun McRae knows beating the Rhinos at their place will really give the Super League top two something to think about.

Leeds are flying high after completing the double over Wigan last month and Graham Murray's charges continue to grow with experience.

Iestyn Harris, 22, Adrian Morley, 21, Marcus St. Hilaire, 21, Francis Cummins, 21 and Terry Newton, 19, provide the nucleus of an exciting set up and their youthful energy levels have made Leeds dangerous throughout the 80 minutes this season.

They beat Saints 31-18 at Knowsley Road back in May, despite having two men sin binned, for their eighth consecutive win in a remarkable start to the season.

The wise heads of Wigan have since pulled slightly ahead at the top of the Super League table and a clash between the two sides was widely expected come Grand Final time in October.

However, victory at Headingley tonight, kick-off 7.30pm, would see Saints rip up the script and leave the play-offs wide open.

Coach Shaun McRae said: "Headingley on a Friday night is a pretty hostile place t o be so this match will be a big test for us. Halifax are the only side above us that we've beaten this year and this a chance to improve that record going into the play-offs.

"Leeds have been a bit more consistent this year than Halifax and it will be a tougher test again. We're going into it on the back of five straight wins but I still don't think we're taking all the opportunities we should and it could cost us in a game like this.

"There's another level for us to go up yet in terms of consistency and we need to find that quickly. Beating Leeds will be a big leap psychologically before the play-offs and it would keep up the pressure on third place so there's a heap of reasons for winning this one.

"It's important that we don't peak too soon or get overconfident about our abilities. It's pleasing that we've finally hit some reasonably consistent form but that has to be maintained and improved on week after week now."

Tommy Martyn is expected to miss out again as he continues to struggle with an Achilles injury and Karle Hammond should stay at stand off.

Damien Smith has recovered from his thigh strain and McRae is considering whether to start with the Australian or Vila Matautia alongside Paul Newlove at centre.

By PHIL HOWARTH

Meanwhile, Smith seems increasingly likely to leave the club at the end of the season after two months of talks have failed to lead to agreement on a new contract.

The problem does not seem to be money but the player's desire to return to Australia.

McRae said: "Damien has indicated that he hasn't settled as well as he might over here. I don't believe we've seen the best of him yet as a player and giving him permission to go home at the end of the season may be the best way to settle him down before he leaves.

"I'm sure it would be a big plus if we did see him at the top of his game."

LEEDS TEAM NEWS

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.