HAPPY? Who wouldn't be after such a comprehensive victory. So said Saints' boss Shaun McRae after his team's demolition of Oldham on Sunday.

WHITTLE: A dozen brilliant tries and not a 'bomb' in sight! That was the delighted response of handling rugby devotees as they reflected on the mauling of the 'Bears' by Saints. Was that your reaction?

McRAE: Obviously it was but that does not mean that Saints will not continue to make full use of the 'bomb' as and when required because, as I said last week, it is an integral part of the Rugby League, but with tries coming by other means the need for it did not arise against Oldham.

I was particularly pleased by the way my lads kept the momentum going after leading 36-6 at half time, unlike the previous home game with Bradford when we lead 24-8 at the break and then almost "blew it" in face of the Bulls' second-half revival.

That also tells me that Saints have "arrived" professionally in not being short on motivation, despite facing an admittedly weakened Oldham team after coming down from the "high" of Wembley but, as the Super League's only unbeaten side the pressure remains on us.

However, I am pleased by the manner in which the Saints' players have adapted to my methods after only three months in the job, and it is up to me to work on every individual in order to create an even better team.

WHITTLE: When Derek McVey's name was linked with Saints many supporters said "who's he?" Now they know because the Sydney-based Aussie is proving a sensation. Were you keeping something from us before he arrived?

McRAE: Not really. What I did say was that Derek had not played since August and would need time to settle down and get match fit. He is now in the process of doing both and we are reaping the benefits on the field because 'big Mac' has already earned two man-of-the-match awards and has increased my options in that he likes to run out wide on the right while Chris Joynt prefers the left. WHITTLE: Rumour is rife that another Aussie forward is on his way to keep McVey company. True or false?

McRAE: Absolutely no comment!

WHITTLE: With almost every game now having an aggregate of 50 points scored, and Super League leaders Saints having conceded around 20 points per outing, surely it is radical rule changes, and not the coaches, that are responsible for the decline in defensive strategy?

McRAE: Without doubt there is something in what you say. The 10-metre rule, speeding up of the play-the-ball, outlawing of raking, scrums 20 metres in from touch - all have had a part to play in creating today's high-speed game, and can I understand the reservations of traditionalists like yourself.

Given such a scenario I believe the days when a team fails to score are virtually over, the concession of two or three tries is not unreasonable in a game controlled by super-fit referees and played by highly-tuned athletes, who nonetheless find it hard to adapt to defending in summer rugby conditions.

WHITTLE: The vexed imposition of squad numbers on a Rugby League populace already contending with four substitutes, six interchanges, yellow cards, red cards, sin-bins, blood-bins etc, has been variously greeted as an abomination and frankly.baffling. What is your opinion?

McRAE: To be honest identity does not pose many problems for me with regard to Saints' players, but I take your point about the opposition, particularly the lesser known in their ranks. I think a case for abolition of numbers is a valid one with jerseys now bearing the name of the wearer, and I can only surmise that the change was made for marketing reasons. When I left Australia the time-honoured numbering system was still in operation and I can understand that tradition dies hard in this country.

WHITTLE: Scott Gibbs cried off with influenza last Sunday and Steve Prescott was withdrawn at half-time against Oldham with the same complaint. Will they have recovered from the dreaded 'lurgy' in time for this weekend's game?

McRAE: All the indications are that Scott and Steve will line up against London Broncos and, still on a medical theme, long-term absentees Andy Haigh and Dean Busby will return in the Alliance match versus Warrington on Thursday, May 17. So the only Saint still in the wars is Andy Northey, who entered Fairfield Hospital for a groin operation on Wednesday.

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