St Helens are now the World Champions.
They made heavy weather of it in the end.
They started brilliantly in Australia against NRL Champions Penrith Panthers taking a 10-0 lead thanks to tries from Konrad Hurrell and Jack Welsby.
In the second half, they extended the score out to 12-0 but the Panthers clawed their way back to make it 12-all sending the game to golden point where Lewis Dodd proved the match winner with the drop goal.
Before the game St Helens were written off and given a 24 point start by the bookies.
Most Australians are seen as seeing Super League as second tier but former Super League star Jackson Hastings who played against this Saints side for both Salford Red Devils and Wigan Warriors has now called for Super League to get more respect:
“Few might respect super league a little bit more after tonight. Great game both teams, congrats Saints some team.
“Very very good footy side this Saint Helens team. No surprise what they’re doing here at the moment, long way to go but impressive.
“I tell everyone I can about super league. Some unbelievable talent over there, they are owed their respect.”
This was echoed by Oliver Gildart who said “respect the Super League.”
Meanwhile, Hastings paid credit to St Helens skipper James Roby: “Roby is a machine. Incredible.”