Saints have won nothing of significance for over four and a half years since October 2006.

So if he'd said Saints had won nothing of significance for 4 years, would that be considered acceptable?

I'm sorry mate. I hope I haven't caused any offence. My intention wasn't to belittle Saints. Had it been I'd have mention the Grand Finals between 2007 and 2009.

OK, 2011 season, you've won nowt.
2010 season, you won nowt.
2009 Season, you won nowt.
2008 Challenge Cup
2007 Challenge Cup

I'm not giving you the 2007 WCC as I consider it an extension of the 2006 season. I'm also ignoring the 2 hubcaps because, well, they're hubcaps. Kudos on the two cup wins. Wish we'd done that.

My comment was a little glib and appears to have gotten under your skin but the gist is you're not the force you once were and we do not need to necessarily look on enviously at your recruitment policies.

In a word - underwhelmed

If he's a direct replacement for Puletua as believed, they've downgraded.

There's a lot of downgrading going on in SL these days and not just at St Helens.

Exchange rates are a b*tch, aren't they?

Not alot to argue about with either of you. I do take issue with a couple of comments though G1, the hubcaps show consistency through the year and I'd rather finish top than not (not that it's done us many favours over the years!). I can't decide whether you are being glib (no irony detector over here) about the CC finals as well although I do think Leeds would have loved to win one over your fruitful last 7 years.

I agree we are not the force we were but I think that can be pointed at yourselves as well. I'd also wager that you wouldn't be too disappointed if you'd signed Laffranchi, just the same as I'd be disappointed if we'd missed out on him to yourselves.

As it stands, it's a swap for Flannery.

Isn't he replacing Flannery?

I had forgotten just how poor the English backs were that game. How you expect to defend on your own line without moving up against the Aussies and win is beyond me. How many of that back line are in the current England squad? None?

If you want to make it look like an even better move, why not say he's replacing some kid from the academy who won't be offered a pro contract?

Fact is, unless there are further major signings to come, the Saints pack is going to be significantly poorer in 2012 than it is in 2011.

I'm not trying to make it look anything. Flannery is known to be going at the end of the season. We've signed an Australian to replace him. If you can tell that TP has DEFINITELY left Saints then fine, we can have it as a Laffranchi in Puletua out. Unitl then, it's as stated.

Of course our pack will be weaker. Graham is irreplaceable unless we can sign 1 of about 5 props from the NRL, none of which are available.

I never said it wasn't.

I'd love or us to have won a CC in the last 7 seasons, do doubt. Nor do I disagree that we are not the force we were either.

Liquid lunch G?

Cross and Hauraki aren't complaining.

The backs, halfbacks and forwards were all poor and out of their depth as well, or had you conveniently forgotten?

It was a long way to travel to see that degree of sh[iy[/ite.

Im sure the Emirates service was well worth the money you forked out for the whole trip



I have pretty much forgotten about all of that tournament TBF. The only thing (before I watched that video) that stuck out about that game was Calderwood getting turned inside out by Slater.

Anyway, I was at the SFS in '02 for the "one off test". Be thankful you wernt there for that.

There can be little doubt that Saints have been one of the outstanding sides in SL. A lack of GF wins in no way diminishes their ability to play quality, attractive, winning rugby on a consistent basis. Make no mistake about it winning the hubcap and finishing top would be valued higher by some had their clubs managed it more often. To make winning the GF the only criteria of success smacks of schoolyard boasting.

I don't wear blinkers so my recall is superior to yours

I won't mention McGuire or Sinfield's performance in that game for fear of upsetting their biggest fans on here.



The lack of preparation and timing (immediately after the Origin series FFS) of that game was absurd at best and the result was no surprise. A round of applause to GH as he was the inspiration behind staging the one-off test at such an inopportune time.

The were no such excuses for what happened that night in Melbourne in 2008. Plans were put into place and the coach went on record as proclaiming the England camp had left no stone unturned in advance preparation for that game.

Don't touch the evil stuff mid week. I'm an athlete these days.

I think this is a very good signing by my club. At present Saints have a squad of 33 players. Of those 33, 22 are home grown. Of those 22, 19 are aged 21 and under. That is a very inexperienced squad. We are still remaining competitive, even though on Monday, for instance, we played seven players aged 21 and under. But we desperately need experience in the squad. Both Hohaia and Laffranchi are settled players, seasoned internationals, good at what they do and are interested in youth development. It is possible we will sign a third overseas player (since Laffranchi doesn't count on the quota, we can do that), probably a prop.

When the origin of these players is downgrading then what do you expect to happen with the cast offs?

[url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/standing-by-her-man/story-e6frf3ou-1111113117381#"Stand by your man... doo doo doo... and tell the world you love him..."[/url