Justin plots scare raid on his old pal Macca
JUSTIN HOLBROOK will order his St Helens side to sink their teeth into the in-form Dragons tomorrow.
He wants his side to scare Catalans coach Steve McNamara just as much as the wildlife he used to fear back in Australia.
Holbrook worked with former England boss McNamara in the NRL and used to delight in winding him up about Australia’s dangerous animals.
The Saints’ Aussie boss said: “We were assistants at Sydney Roosters and it was good working with him.
“It was more fun walking around the streets and he’d be looking around for snakes and spiders – all these deadly creatures in our country.
“We got the most laughs out of that type of stuff, more so than the rugby league.” McNamara will be desperate to have the last laugh in the Challenge Cup semi-final at Bolton.
His side looked like being the whipping boys when the last-four draw was made nine weeks ago. They were struggling in Super League and looked destined for a relegation scrap, with McNamara’s future in doubt.
But, thanks to the arrival of Kenny Edwards and Josh Drinkwater, McNamara has turned around their fortunes.
They leapt from bottom in May into the top eight, saving their Super League skins with a game to spare in the regular season.
It means they can approach tomorrow’s clash with no worries.
Holbrook said: “They’re playing well – but we’re OK with pressure.”