Justin Holbrook: James Roby is one of the best in the world

St Helens coach Justin Holbrook heaped praise on his captain James Roby after their win at Wigan.

The Saints all but booked themselves a place in the play-offs with a 14-6 win over the Warriors at the DW Stadium on Thursday night.

England star Roby put in a man of the match display and Holbrook was full of praise for the Saints skipper.

He said: “He was unbelievable and was probably the difference between the two sides.

“I’ve never seen a defender in the middle of the field make so many cover tackles, you usually make them on the wing! He made so many tackles to save some dangerous opportunities that Wigan were creating.

“Both sides were run off their feet but he is the only one who can stay in the middle and keep going. He is a phenomenal player and we are so happy and grateful that he is in our side because he was the difference in the game.

“I knew how good he was before I came here but not to the extent on what he can show. For a guy to be able to stand up and move when everybody else is struggling is great, he just keeps going and he is just fantastic.”

Holbrook ranks Roby, who has played over 400 games for Saints, as one of the best players in the world at the minute.

He added: “He is one of the best I’ve ever seen.

“He is one of the best in the world and he showed it in the World Cup final. I know I’m going back to November but both sides were run off their feet and I think Robes could have played the next day when no-one else could have.

“I can’t rap him enough because I think that highly of him as we all do. In them war of nutrition type games, you look around to see who can keep going and who is mentally tough and he is just in a class of his own when the game is like that.”