Despite all their injuries St Helens are certainly firing on all cylinders and Wakefield are going to have to be at their best to make sure they do not get blown away.
Saints are building for the future and it is interesting that Lee Gilmour has signed for Huddersfield. Like Sean Long, Gilmour wanted a two year contract to stay at Saints but was only offered one so he decided to move on.
Eastmond: Star of the future
Some people have said that Gilmour won't give 100 per cent any more for St Helens but that is just ridiculous. He is a professional player who is very loyal to his club. He wants to leave on a high and will give his all.
I feel a bit for St Helens though - just when you think their injury worries are over and they are welcoming back the likes of Keiron Cunningham and Matt Gidley, they get another double whammy.
We are used to seeing him come on as an impact player and showing his brilliant individual skills, however against Warrington he played like he had playing at this level for ten years.
Stevo
Quotes of the week
St Helens v Wakefield
8pm, Fri, Sky Sports 2 & HD2
Maurie Fa'asavalu is out for the rest of the season after he broke his arm against Warrington on Saturday and in that same game, Gary Wheeler tore his calf muscle - that is likely to keep the 18-year-old out of action for around four weeks.
They also have a bit of a mumps problem at the moment with Chris Flannery down with the virus, and apparently teenage sensation Kyle Eastmond may also have it.
Eastmond has been an absolute revelation for Saints and is going to be sensational. He is a dynamic player with plenty of speed and a lovely balance to his game. We are used to seeing him come on as an impact player and showing his brilliant individual skills, however against Warrington he played like he had playing at this level for 10 years.
He bossed and controlled that game like an old pro and was the man of the match by a country mile. He is certainly the man to take over from Long and the future for St Helens is very bright indeed.
I like that about Saints; they really look after their youngsters and nurture them. I think they would have liked to have kept Eastmond under the wing a little longer but he has certainly repaid their trust in him.
For their part, Wakefield will be looking to quickly erase the memory of their dramatic late loss to Leeds Rhinos last time out.
The Wildcats were in front 30-28 going into the final minute against the defending champions but Scott Donald's late try denied them at the death.
They will want the likes of Brad Drew, Danny Brough and Jason Demetriou to step up. These are the games when you need your players to dig deep and come up with something a bit special.
I don't know if it will be enough though - Saints are on a roll and will certainly want to put pressure on Leeds at the top of the table.
Star man
If he plays, then Kyle Eastmond is the man to watch for Saints. For Wakefield well Brad Drew will need to show some of his magic and hopefully inspire the Wildcats.
Stevo says
I just think St Helens are well on a roll and at home will not slip up. As usual the first twenty minutes is going to be brutal and Wakefield will need to defend like mad to stop Saints getting on top too early.
Comments (2)
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Ric Pickles says...
I believe that saints have got some really good, promising youngsters coming through, it is just a shame that their role models leave little to be desired, the disgraceful behaviour of cunningham against the wildcats and the ever revolting leon price, both players setting great examples by attacking people and getting away with it each and every time. P.s do the rfl have some deal with saints that means you can purposefully break someones cheek bone and get away with it. Revolting behaviour, hope your back soon Stosic.
Posted 11:47 21st July 2009
Paul Laycock says...
The young kids always look good at saints cos there experianced players never get banned no matter what they do! Two players in the last few games have sent other players to hospital and got nothing dun to them by the league. Rugby league will never get the fan base it needs to move forward when the game is run like this, i know tons of fans that have walked away from season tickets for the same reasons.
Posted 21:08 20th July 2009
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