Few will have been as happy as former St Helens man Kyle Amor on Saturday as his former side were crowned Champions of the World with a win over Penrith Panthers in Australia.
Speaking on the 5 Live Rugby League Podcast, he highlighted how difficult it was for the Saints to go and win with everything against them:
“They had all the excuses in the world not to win, the heat, the travel, losing Joe Batchelor, losing Tommy Makinson in the game. There was a lot of stuff that could have easily been used as an excuse but that team just galvanise together and keep turning up.
“To win out there I think that is the greatest win of club rugby ever in this country. Given the size of the salary cap as well. What a win, that win in their own backyard.”
Amor then spoke about how the Saints will approach the game against Castleford highlighting a worry for Leeds Rhinos as the Saints’ will look to really start the season at home against the Rhinos:
“Talk about coming back down to earth with a bang, you go from that to going down to Castleford on Sunday. I’ve seen on social media that they were in Bangkok yesterday having a few beers by the river. What that game will have done, not only mentally there’ll be a hangover but there probably will be an alcoholic hangover as well.
“They’ve got to get ready and it wouldn’t surprise me if a lot of the young kids end up rolling out like they did last year. It’s important to celebrate that win, they’ve been away from their families for three weeks as well. I think if I was Wello I’d be giving anyone with a knock and try get them rested up for that home game against Leeds.
“We’ve got to go and try and win of course, we’ve got trust in the whole squad, but we’ve got that in the bank so acknowledge it for what it is and kickstart it for Leeds.”