Whilst we don't get any competition points i think in terms of belief for the rest of the year Friday is massive. You'd like to think the place will be buzzing if we can get a result.

And as a fan i'd remember a win against the Roosters for years, a win against Salford or Hull KR not so much.

Add friendly win over 2 points in the league? Madness

I can't ever see a time where I'll want us to beat KR or Salford in a normal league game more than I'll want us to beat Sydney Roosters in this series type format.

Whereas in league table standing it'd mean nothing to beat them, for me it's a big chance for us to match up against one of the worlds best and it'll be up there with one of the best nights at LP (IMO) if we can get a win.

Certainly is a big game, I think you need to look beyond your own "back yard", its a flagship game for rugby league to raise the profile of the sport in the UK, what kind of message do we give out to the media and potential sponsors if we send out a weakened team and not giving recognition.
I would send out a full strength team, if we come close or perhaps win this game it would do wonders to the players confidence and could kickstart us for the rest of the season, or some could dwell on the negative side and whinge its a nothing game.............for me Friday night we should go on the field with all "guns blazing" and show win or lose we potentially are still a big club and not one that surrenders with the white flag when the going gets tough.

That big it's not sold out

Are you going and coughed up for a ticket.

When do St Helens ever sell out anything?

Regards

King James

I'm going and no I didn't buy a ticket

All games are nothing games.

We all run around and do what we have to do but in 100 years we will all be dead and very few will care about a salford game or a roosters game.
In 5 billion years the sun will die and take out every RL pitch in sight.
Many years after that the universe will grow cold and die and nothing will be left.

It is all pointless and meaningless.

But it's fun whilst we are here, so enjoy the moment.

It will never sell out because of people with the same mindset as you...

People worrying about injuries....they can happen at anytime, during any game throughout the year, why even worry about it? Ridiculous!

Roby will be absolutely gutted he's missing it (as am I)!

I am buzzing today though, can't wait for them to have a good crack at those arrogant ozzies!

We was unbeaten in super league last year until we got smashed by south's but last year was a big game, it was the two champions playing to see who's the best in the world.

Since the awful world series came in, half the teams in it didn't even qualify which is laughable. Both hudds and Cas opted out of the "big game" and I'm pretty sure both st george and brisbane last year didn't even qualify for the world series which makes the whole thing a joke.

How can it be the best value the best when half the teams in it didn't qualify?

Oh and by the way, I'm told if this was a play off game, semi final or final then Robes would be playing.

Andy Platt, Gary Connelly the list is endless,

A big night for St Helens coming up. Their attitude after being thumped by Salford will be important or they may be up for another heavy defeat to a NRL side. The Roosters here in Australia have settled after the Mitchell Pearce Australia Day incident. Let's hope this game is competitive and sets a good tone for the weekend. www.nothingbutleague.com/2016/02 ... -roosters/

A big night for St Helens coming up. Their attitude after being thumped by Salford will be important or they may be up for another heavy defeat to a NRL side. The Roosters here in Australia have settled after the Mitchell Pearce Australia Day incident. Let's hope this game is competitive and sets a good tone for the weekend. www.nothingbutleague.com/2016/02 ... -roosters/

Completely agree IANmarra, the attitude of some of rugby league supporters is so destructive its incredible. The reason rugby league is dying in this country (IMO) is because we are to scared to do things differently, we are to eager to discredit an idea than run with it and watch it grow!!! State of Origin for example....scoffed at at first, low crowds etc, look at it now!! hands up who wants to go and watch State of Origin live?? ME!!! Maybe if we'd stuck at War of the Roses clashes all those years ago, instead of dropping it because no one took it seriously, we'd have an exciting no holds barred series of rugby league by now? Who knows what the world club challenge series could become?? lets run with it!! Lets have full strength squads knocking 10 bells out of each other!! If players get injured, lets have squads good enough for it to not matter as much!! But we need competitive games, whether they be domestic, world club, or internationals, so people will come to watch, attendences will grow, money will be made, profits can be put towards better facilities, better players can be developed, then we will get more competitive games.......and repeat!! Im getting fed up of the endless negativity of rugby league!!! c'mon guys n gals, we have one of the most brutal, exciting, skillfull sports around, lets enjoy and promote it, and more to the point lets make it better!!! Starting with respecting the world club challenge....let it grow!!!!

Rant over
Matt

Good post, fully agree.

+1, but you would have guessed that anyway BJ.

Why are many RL fans so bloody insular?

I can get the Leeds v cowboys meaning something but whst do we get for a friendly game? Nothing!

Doesn't make us better than nrl If we win because we ain't. It's not even done properly as half the teams opt out and that gives teams who didn't even qualify a game which is laughable.

Roosters will win easy. Cowboys will put a big Score on Leeds and Wigan will just pip broncos but what does all thst mean ?

I personally think it's a great idea and something that people want to see...however, it's played at the wrong time of year so it almost becomes irrelevant. It should be played maybe in the summer or a couple of weeks after the Grand Final when all the teams are in full flow and have no ring rust.

Playing at this time of year also means that line-ups can be much different from the line-ups that were successful the season before due to players leaving/retiring.

Great idea, terrible timing.

what a hypocritical statement rogues,although it's not only you pal

the majority of wigan warriors fans that post on these forums clearly can't see beyond the end of their nose's when bigging everything up about wigan warriors and that there's now't ever any better elsewhere than "made in wigan is always best"

your lot still all believe that you're the biggest and best sl side in this hemisphere despite not winning very much during the salary capped era sadly says it all really

By your definition State of Origin are friendlies. Take the game at face value YOUR club are playing last seasons NRL MINOR PREMIERS Sydney Roosters. Go there and enjoy the spectacle, enjoy seeing the best the NRL has to offer. I wish I could I'll be at a family function hoping there is a tv handy with the game on!!!!!

And yes it was damn bad planning.

Saints team for tonight:


22. Jack Owens;
2. Tommy Makinson,
18. Dominique Peyroux,
3. Jordan Turner,
5. Adam Swift;
12. Jon Wilkin,
7. Luke Walsh;
8. Alex Walmsley,
6. Travis Burns,
16. Andre Savelio,
20. Joe Greenwood,
11. Atelea Vea,
13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook.

Subs:
10. Kyle Amor,
14. Lama Tasi,
17. Luke Thompson,
28. Morgan Knowles.

As embarrassing as expected. This Saints squad is an absolute farce. Clueless coach, Championship level players.

Top 8 has got to be in question.

I say this as a neutral and I know it'll be hard for you but don't be melodramatic. You'll comfortably make the 8 and be in the mix for top 4.

Tonight however (like last year) does show a concern of whether you'll have what it takes come semi final/final time. Personally don't think you will but talk of a struggle for top 8 is stupid.

Any word on Walmsley?

The performances of Owen, Turner, Peyroux, Walsh & Wilkin were are bad as I have ever seen in a game of Rugby League, maybe a bit harsh on Peyroux but in the first half he was e.
I was on the fence about Cunningham but I now believe he is not the man to take the club forward.
Can someone convince me that Wilkin didn't give up in that game ?
Walsh and Wilkin need to retire asap.