Ex-NRL player reveals the real Australian reaction to St Helens’ win

There has been plenty of debate sparked by St Helens’ win in the World Club Challenge against Penrith Panthers.

But what has the true reaction been down under to St Helens’ shock win over the NRL Champions in their own backyard?

Serious About Rugby League spoke to former Leeds Rhinos and Penrith player Matt Adamson who lives in Australia to gage the reaction.

“To be honest I think there’s been a lot more positive feedback around the fact that St Helens won, not so much around Penrith losing,” Adamson said.

“That’s how it should be, the best team won and Penrith got outplayed and probably beat in the physicality part of the game. They’ve lost a couple of players and the NRL clubs have probably saw that, not flowing out of dummy-half.

“You can talk about all you like about Api Koroisau going to the Wests Tigers, it’s a bit like Reed Mahoney going to Canterbury from Parramatta. They’ve brought in Josh Hodgson from Canberra and they were very crisp out of dummy-half which allowed Mitch Moses to do what he did, it shows how important spines are in our game and I’m not sure that’s talked about as regularly in the UK game but your nine, your six, your seven and your one are so integral.

“Of course Dylan Edwards didn’t play as well, so Penrith’s spine other than Nathan Cleary wasn’t the one they normally had, but that’s no excuse. I’m sure Ivan has racked his brain all week and thinking how to prepare best for round one.”