Justin Holbrook says Ben Barba's absence didn't affect St Helens in Catalans win
Thursday 3 May 2018 23:57, UK
St Helens coach Justin Holbrook refused to use the absence of Ben Barba as an excuse for his team's below-par performance in their 26-12 win over Catalans Dragons.
Two tries from winger Regan Grace helped Saints to victory over a Dragons side that competed well without seriously threatening to pull off an upset.
Holbrook opted to rest Barba, the dashing Australian who is Super League's top try-scorer this year, after hurting his neck in the win at Salford but was impressed by Jonny Lomax in the full-back role and with Theo Fages at stand-off.
"Ben was close to being right but he was still a bit sore," Holbrook said.
"Jonny had a great game for us, as did Theo, so I didn't think it affected us. Both sides probably weren't at their best but the main thing is we came away with the win.
"It's hard for us, coming off two big wins and we knew Catalans weren't a bad team, but a lot of individuals were below their best."
Man of the match was St Helens' winger Tommy Makinson, who scored one try and created another as he pressed his claim for a place in the England team to play New Zealand in the mid-season Test in Denver.
"I'll leave that to the selectors but he keeps on delivering," commented the head coach.
"He's been phenomenal the whole year, we're 14 rounds in now and he's been fantastic every week.
"And it's all parts of his game, he's defending great, his yardage carries are high, he's finishing tries and catching bombs."
Holbrook also reckons scrum-half Danny Richardson would not let England down if he was called up to replace the injured Luke Gale.
"He's a great young player and he'd back himself if he was chosen," added Holbrook.
The Dragons scored three unconverted tries through three quarters Brayden Wiliame, Jodie Broughton and Lewis Tierney but missed an opportunity to topple the leaders, according to coach Steve McNamara.
"I'm disappointed because I thought it was an opportunity lost," McNamara said. "I thought we had a great chance.
"Saints have been fabulous in the last few weeks but they were a bit off their standard and there was an opportunity there but we didn't quite find our rhythm in attack to do enough damage.
"The effort was good and the players tried really hard but we didn't have enough connection in attack to put Saints under pressure."
