By Neil Barker

IAN Millward wants to rule the world!

The Saints coach's sights are already fixed on tackling the Australian game's finest - the Sydney City Roosters - in another showdown to determine who is rugby league's undisputed world champions.

Sean Long, Saints' match winner in the Grand Final triumph over Bradford, has revealed the chance to tackle the star-studded Roosters was the big incentive to be crowned kings of the British game.

Saints have again topped the Super League pile and will relish the hunt for more glory.

Long told M.E.N. Sport: "It should be some game against the Roosters. We went into the Bradford game with the perfect incentive of having the chance to take part in another World Club Challenge.

"This is what you have to aim for and we can look forward to another massive game. The fact they have Great Britain star Adrian Morley in their side merely adds spice to what's sure to be a great game."

For Long and his jubilant Saints team-mates, beating Bradford in the Grand Final compensated losing the Challenge Cup Final at Murrayfield to arch-rivals Wigan.

Had Saints also lost to Bradford at Old Trafford, coach Millward insists he would still have been able to look back on a a memorable year.

Victory however puts a different light on proceedings and has further enhanced the Aussie's reputation as an astute, top-class coach - how long before Aussie clubs again target the Man with the Midas touch?

Millward's marauders have again captured the game's biggest prize and Millward has to be indebted to Man of Steel Paul Sculthorpe.

Star hooker Keiron Cunningham admits Skully has carried the team for long spells, saying: "I was made up seeing Skully winning Man of Steel again - he has stood out and had a tremendous season.

"When big-name players have returned to the side he has stepped up yet another gear and turned in some superb, unbelievable performances."

Cunningham likens Sculthorpe to the great Ellery Hanley in terms of leadership, skill and on-field bravery.

A Murrayfield win over Saints was without doubt Wigan's finest hour but injuries scuppered any hopes of reaching Old Trafford.

The back line that started the season sustained serious long-term injuries. By the finish, coach Stuart Raper was struggling to field a side.

Raper earned his spurs at Murrayfield yet it was claimed had Wigan lost their semi-final clash with Castleford, he could well have been axed.

One man who did not escape the sack was Steve McCormack. He started as Salford coach but was replaced by Karl Harrison. The relegated Reds never recovered from a poor start.

They won two games at Easter under McCormack but lacked consistency. The buck stopped with the young coach who has since been appointed coach of Whitehaven.

Warrington survived at the expense of Salford. They, too, had major off-field troubles. Performance director Steve Anderson quit at the half-way point and made way for Dave Plange, who was also sacked.

In a final throw of the dice aimed at beating the drop, Warrington brought in Paul Cullen, the former player, as coach and he succeeded.

The season's success story belong to Widnes Vikings. They have the coach of the year in Neil Kelly - a worthy recipient of the title bearing in mind the Vikings almost made the play-offs in their first year back in the top-flight.

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