Interesting thread - whilst I don't think Saints will win the WCC I certainly think they will suprise a few based on some Panthers fan comments on here.
We're probably the most NRL-esque team to come out of SL in recent times, by which I mean we play with a high level of intensity that teams have struggled to live with. This Saints side is a team in the true sense of the word and I thiunk will give a good account of themselves.
Players like Makinson, Welsby, Percival, Lomax, Dodd, Walmsley, Knowles, Roby, Lees, Bachelor would all get a run in good NRL sides in my opinion. Then there are the ex NRL lads like Sironen, Lussick, Paasi, Sione, Hurrell who are decent players albeit not amongst our very best.
I think eventually a good few of the players who play in a couple of weeks will end up in the NRL and will be some of the better players to have done so (Welsby and Dodd in particular).
I think you'll enjoy the game and Saints will give a strong account of ourselves and SL.