IT may have been a record points haul against Huddersfield but Shaun McRae told the lads not to get carried away.

WHITTLE: Twelve brilliant tries from all points of the compass. An effective answer to the "not a move in 'em" lobby perhaps?

McRAE: To a degree yes, but Sunday's result should be kept perspective because Huddersfield are bottom of the Super League pile while Wigan are top - need I say more? However, 68 points takes some scoring and to that extent Saints did well. Although I do not believe all the tries resulted from planned moves because some sprung from 'off the cuff rugby' as you say over here.

However, I reject suggestions that Saints lack variety in their play and this was often underlined on Sunday, but I nonetheless remain convinced that a high standard of ball control, defence and consistency are the key factors in winning trophies. Saints were very focused against Huddersfield after the 'stick' they received at the McAlpine Stadium in April and overall it was an Olympic-style performance when compared with recent 'kindergarten' displays in which some of our players refused to 'cut the mustard' as we Aussies say.

WHITTLE: Do you think Saints' board should either have backed you or sacked you, because your present situation cannot be easy, although your dignity has impressed many people? McRAE: The possibility of paying me up was never an issue and it was my decision to honour my contract despite intense disappointment at not being asked to stay. Few building societies would grant a mortgage on the strength of a coach's job and one understands that from the outset - just take a look around the Rugby League for confirmation.

However, it has not been all doom and gloom for me over the last fortnight because I have been greatly heartened that fans put pen to paper and picked up the telephone with messages of support. Thank you one and all.

WHITTLE: Don't you think there are certain parallels with Saints situation and that of Bradford where, after winning Super League and in view of this season's slump, there is talk of drafting in Malcolm Reilly?

McRAE: I know nothing of that beyond saying that I have heard that Reilly is returning from Newcstle Knights. My understand is that current Bulls' coach Matthew Elliott has signed a new contract. WHITTLE: Raper, Griffiths, Dorahy, Johnson, Kear, Hanley, Edwards, Meninga and Reilly. With the ink on your 'notice to quit' scarcely dry all these have been mentioned as pretenders to the Saints' coaching throne. Any comment?

McRAE: To be frank I don't care! Earning the respect of the Saints' players mattered most to me, a feeling I can assure you is mutual. WHITTLE: Having served a three-season 'apprenticeship' as head coach and been relatively successful, surely this has given you the confidence to try your luck elsewhere?

McRAE: Success is a wonderful thing but it can also make failures of anyone who subscribes to the ideology that it is an on-going phenomenon. I do not want to dwell on anything I achieved at Knowsley Road but, yes, I would welcome another crack at coaching and have changed my mind about booking an early flight to Australia.

WHITTLE: Why was Brett Goldspink missing against Huddersfield on Sunday?

McRAE: Brett is still receiving treatment for a nagging ankle injury and, although he wanted to play, it was my decision to leave him out.

WHITTLE: Saints are rumoured to be interested in signing Australian winger Royston Lightning. How much do you know about the player?

McRAE: Lightning was a schoolboy international before joining my old club Canberra Raiders. My information is that he has not played for some time and there could be work permit problems.

WHITTLE: Warrington at Wilderspoon! Never a welcoming prospect?

McRAE: Particularly with this probably being the Wolves' last throw of the dice for a top-five place. However, Saints have beaten Warrington twice this season and our chances have been given a further boost with the availability of Vila Matautia.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.