St Helens: James Roby tipped to leave a legacy after 500th game
James Roby after making his 500th appearance for St Helens
St Helens coach Kristian Woolf believes captain James Roby will leave an ‘exceptional legacy’ after making his 500th appearance for his hometown club.
The 36-year-old produced a trademark performance to help the Super League champions to a 26-0 win at Leeds in his 500th game for the club.
Saints legend Roby has already said that he is likely to retire at the end of the 2022 season.
Speaking after the game, Woolf said: “James Roby did what he does every single game, he’s probably played that sort of game for 500.
“That’s why he’s such a special player, the way he competes, the effort he puts in. His pass is 99 out of 100 every game and his defence is always exceptional.
“He also does the little things that people don’t necessarily see. Every part of his game is exceptional. I find it really hard in my time here where he hasn’t been an eight or nine out of 10. You just expect that in every single game.
“I can’t sing his praises enough. He’s an exceptional person off and on the field and I think the club is very much in his image, if you look at how the team plays and the values we have as a team. He’s going to leave an exceptional legacy.”
WOOLF: James Roby’s 500th club appearance a testament to the man
St Helens coach delighted with performance at Headingley
St Helens, who have won the Grand Final the last three years, sit at the top of the Super League table after the first seven rounds of the season.
Woolf was pleased with their display at Headingley, and the intensity they played with.
He added: “I liked everything about us tonight. It was a good high intensity game of footy. Leeds played with a real effort they probably haven’t had in the last couple of weeks.
“It’s a good sign for them and a good sign for us. We had to battle for everything we got.
“We had a great intensity about our defence and our patience and ability to take our chances when they came was a really good sign of where we’re at.”
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