St Helens played well but will rue lost opportunities by their backline.
Makinson had an off night by his standards (still not completely fit/niggling injuries?) and the left side tried hard and did well considering the circumstances but Grace and Percival were definitely missed.
Liked Fages really getting involved early and putting a good try on, my usual criticism of him is that he doesn't put his stamp on the game until momentum swings his way but he played well above that today. Maybe he can cut it at NRL and Test level.
Walmsley and Thompson are just an immense front row. Thompson played like someone with a point to prove and Walmsley just relished the battle with 2 of the best NRL+Test props. Pity England won't play NZ for another year because Walmsley v JWH is something we all need more of in our lives.
Roosters - rusty in attack and discipline but ruthless when opportunities present themselves. Will take every chance, while inferior oppositions will waste half. Defence is, as I saw someone else on twitter say, just muscle memory at this stage. Absolute efficiency.
JWH and SST were huge. Keary looked sharp for a first hitout in months.
Manu and Tupou were the difference when compared to their opposite numbers. 2 tries from barely-chances compared to bombed tries by their opposites.
In short - A great contest, extremely high quality for early in the year. NRL wins again but St Helens showed to the doubters that the best SL teams can cut it at any level.
Gotta say....the Saints have been the better side. What they (and English rugby league) don't have is competent halves. Lomax and Fages have been pisspoor.
Hardly. Lomax and Fages both did well creating opportunities but their backs had advanced cases of dickfingers.
