St Helens v Hull KR - Clash between Weller Hauraki and James Graham excites Robins coach Tony Smith

Great Britain prop Graham, who turned 35 yesterday, is famous for his fiery style and acerbic comments on the pitch. When the sides met last month, he gave hardened New Zealander Hauraki some of that same treatment as matters threatened to boil over.

But Smith says the less vocal back-row Hauraki, who is also 35 and moved up to prop in last week’s win over Wigan Warriors, thrives off it.

“Weller’s enjoyed playing in that middle section,” he said.

“It gets a bit tasty and he likes a bit of that. It should be good.

“The last time we played Saints I remember James Graham having a few words to Weller so we’ll see how that pans out again.

“It was a good confrontation. In a healthy way. I like to see that. I like to see rivalries there in the middle – as long as it’s done right – and Weller’s not one to back down to anybody really.”

Asked about that flare-up, Smith added: “I don’t think Weller actually said anything.

“I think he was on the receiving end of a verbal and from what I see, particularly with opposition players, he doesn’t say anything.

“He just lets his actions do the talking. It was a one-sided verbal but it was certainly an intriguing contest between the two.”

Graham returned to Saints last month after a nine-year stint in the NRL establishing himself as a world-class prop and he has helped the rampant champions win four successive matches since coming back from lockdown.

Smith added: “I love Jamma. I loved coaching him when I was coaching England and I love his energy and his passion.

“I like it when there are those verbal touches as well as physical touches.

“I’m sure it will be another good contest.

“It’s part of rugby league and it’s something we’re almost missing out on – we’ve gone a little bit too sterile at times where we don’t have as many of those confrontations and we try get everyone to calm down.

“But part of why we watch our sport is to see right on the edge or close to going across the line.

“As long as they’re not illegally taking each other’s heads off, lets see that!”

Smith expects to bring Australian prop Mitch Garbutt back into the 17, too, to give Graham and Saints something else to think about.

Bottom-placed Rovers stunned Wigan with a free-flowing display and Smith has vowed to adopt the same approach tonight.

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Thank you

James Mitchinson