Cunningham: Score wasn’t a true reflection

St Helens coach Keiron Cunningham says he is proud of his player’s efforts in their 38-12 defeat to the Roosters and believe the score wasn’t a true reflection of the game.

It was a one-sided contest in the first World Club Series match that the Roosters never looked like losing once they got in front.

But Cunningham said the 26-point loss wasn’t a proper pointer to how his team performed.

“I thought our start was outstanding,” he said.

“But we’re playing against a very good side, they’re outside backs are brilliant. I’ve never seen so many tries against the run of play. The Roosters are a world-class side.

“You’ve got to be so clinical against them sides and every bounce of the ball that went against us, they went down the other end and scored. It wasn’t a true reflection of the game, I’m proud of what my boys did tonight.

“If we play anything remotely like that in Super League we will be very good.”

Cunningham said St Helens will put the recent defeats to Salford and the Roosters behind, and denied that confidence in his team was an issue.

“We’ll move on and we’ll be ready for next Friday.”