Steve McNamara disappointed in attacking display in opening defeat
Catalans head coach Steve McNamara was disappointed in his side’s attacking display in their opening defeat to champions St Helens.
Catalans fell to a 28-8 loss to St Helens in Super League’s opening fixture.
Winger Fouad Yaha scored the first try of the campaign, and it was to be the club’s only try in a disappointing attacking display.
However, Steve McNamara says it’s important not to overreact to the first game of the season.
Steve McNamara reacts to opening defeat
“I thought we had some good intent at times. Defensively, you could see that come through for periods of the game,” McNamara told Sky Sports.
“There were some real lapse and some really poor miss tackles. That last 15 minutes of the first half really gave Saints some good field position. They made the most of it and they were too good for us tonight.
“It’s round one, whether you win that game or lose that game, you don’t want to overreact or underreact.
“There were some things in there that clearly weren’t good enough to beat a Saints team on their patch tonight.
“I thought our attack was awful tonight. But like I said, defensively we managed to sustain until that last 10 minutes until we were down to 12-men again.”
Match report: St Helens beat Catalans in fiery season opener – talking points
Steve McNamara on ‘quiet’ Mitchell Pearce’s debut
Star signing Mitchell Pearce made his competitive debut for the Dragons.
The Australian had played in the club’s pre-season friendly with Toulouse, but McNamara insists there’s more to come.
“I thought he was quiet tonight,” McNamara told Sky Sports.
“I thought in the first 20 to 25 minutes, we were okay defensively. But our attack never really got going today.
“So, plenty for us and him to work on.”
Watch: Gil Dudson sin-binned in first tackle of new Super League season
Dylan Napa shown red
Dylan Napa was sent from the field on 71 minutes after tackling opponent Mark Percival high.
Tyrone May’s debut was cut short due to an eye injury.
Speaking on Sky Sports, McNamara continued: “I thought he put himself about a lot. His physical presence. He’s obviously been called for going too high at the end of the game, that’s what’s he’s been pinged by and he’s paid the price for that.
“He’ll learn a lot from it.
“I didn’t see it (the tackle) too closely. I’m not sure. Initially, I thought he hit the ball and it had gone up a little bit but I’ll have to look closely again.”
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