Jamie Foster: Super League play offs will be brutal

[josie andrews]

JAMIE Foster says Saints are on a ‘revenge mission’ going into Sunday’s play-off encounter with arch-rivals Wigan.

The winger admitted that the Saints squad is still smarting from last year’s Grand Final defeat at the hands of the Cherry and Whites.

Foster told the Star: “I remember sitting down on the grass last year at Old Trafford when the final whistle went and watching Wigan jump on each other.

“It was probably one of the highest points of my career playing there and then one of the lowest points of my career watching them celebrating.

“It gave me a sick feeling in my stomach knowing that it was a massive chance for me to see Keiron Cunningham off in style and they took it away from us really.

“It might sound like I’m talking it up but I think it’s a revenge mission this year. We’ve spoken about it and there’s not too many people in the team who are scared of saying it either.

“It’s going to be brutal, it’s going to be tough, it’s going to be exciting and I’m really looking forward to going 100 percent at it.”

Saints have reached the last five Grand Finals at Old Trafford but their last victory came in 2006 against Hull FC.

They have since lost to Leeds three times and Wigan once.

Foster played in last season’s defeat and also suffered at the hands of Michael Maguire’s side in the Challenge Cup semi-final this season.

He added: “I’m only 21 but I’ve played in too many big games and come out the wrong end of it. I’ve got a lot of memories of not feeling good after big games in changing rooms.

“So I think it’s time that we erase that now and when our careers are over we can look back and say ‘How hard was that game against Wigan but we did it and we hung on - they didn’t score in the last minute or Pat Richards didn’t kick a goal and take it away from us’.

“We’re not scared of putting ourselves out there and saying we want to achieve big things because we do and that’s our target we’ve set and we want to back it up.”

If Saints do end up at the final then one thing is certain, the pressure won’t be getting to Foster.

The one man points-machine who has scored 24 tries and kicked 137 goals in 26 appearances this season spoke of how he is able to keep his cool.

He said: “People big up things about the pressure, big kicks and trying to catch high balls, but to be honest, it just doesn’t really get to me very much. I’m laid back and I’m confident in what I can do.

“People speak about my kicking and I’ve been kicking goals over the field since I was six, so if I’m kicking them on the field in front of no one or I’m kicking them at a full DW it doesn’t really matter. I believe I can do it.

"I’ve done a lot of work with my granddad and I believe that my preparation is going well so roll on the play-offs.

“If it comes down to a kick at Old Trafford, I probably wouldn’t take it now, but if that’s what it’s going to take then I wouldn’t shy away from it for the team.”


http://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/saints/ne ... e_brutal/?

[josie andrews]

Foster: It's Our Time

IN October 2010 Jamie Foster experienced the highs and lows of being a professional rugby league player.

After appearing in his first ever Grand Final and the emotion attached to that, he was slumped on the grass at the final whistle as Wigan took the spoils.

But that moment has steadied his resolve and the youngster is determined to put things right this season.

"I suppose I have made good progress this season and things have been pretty good for me," he says. "I got my goal sheet at the beginning of the year and I wanted to play 15 games. Royce has given me the chances and I think I have earned the respect off the senior boys with my performances.

"But, it all kinda means nothing now as we are at the business end of the season. It was great to taste this point last season as the atmosphere is brilliant. I am looking forward to being a part of it again.

"It was a high point of my career playing at Old Trafford, but sitting on the grass and watching them jumping all over each other was hard to take. I felt sick knowing that it was a chance for us to see KC off on a high and they took it away from us.

"I think it is a bit of a revenge mission this year and there's not too many people in the team scared of saying it. It's going to be brutal, tough and exciting. Yes, we've been to a lot of finals and not won. We know what we have to do and know the reasons why we lost those games. If we were scratching our heads then that would be hard. So we are preparing well for it, training is going well, the players up for it and the senior boys are too. We are all buzzing ready for it."

Jamie has made 45 appearances for the club and has scored 31 tries and kicked 209 goals. He's been in situations throughout the season when his accuracy with the boot has proved vital.

But he doesn't feel the added pressure.

"I'm not trying to sound like I am Mr Cool but I don't let it get to me. I am confident in what I can do as I have been kicking goals all over the field since I was six. So, if I'm doing it on my own or at a full DW Stadium I know I can do it.

"I try and treat all the kicks the same - I believe I can kick them and I can hear my granddad in the back of my head telling me what to do. Sometimes I just put my foot through the ball and hope for the best really. It's something I thrive on and I can't wait for it.

"I don't practice so much these days as I think I can kick myself out of form. Sometimes I go to Ruskin Drive late at night and have a kick with my granddad.

"This is our opportunity now though. I have played in a number of big games and want us to look back in a few years and say ‘remember that game against Wigan?' and ‘look what we achieved'."

http://www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/1240?