St Helens star Regan Grace hoping to scorch his way to glory in Grand Final against Salford
REGAN GRACE hopes to scorch his way to Grand Final glory after clocking a speed that would see him do the 100 metres in under TEN SECONDS.
No Welshman has ever beaten that magical barrier — Christian Malcolm’s wind-assisted 10.09 in Edmonton, Canada, in 2001 remains the quickest from an athlete from the principality.
But St Helens star Grace’s run for his try in the last minute of May’s 42-26 win at Hull KR was so quick he would have broken it — and it even came on grass, in boots, with defenders around him.
The winger tipped 22.41mph as he hared 70m at Craven Park.
That would have seen him do the 100m in an astonishing 9.98sec!
Even his second-fastest speed ever would equal Malcolm’s fastest legal time of 10.11 seconds.
When told about how fast he can run, Grace replied: “Get off! To be honest, I’ve always backed myself.
“I was the fastest kid on my street, then at school, then in the area. But when I went to the Welsh national championships, I think it was in Brecon when I was in year nine, I was absolutely thrashed. I lost by about ten metres.
“I’ve always known I’m pretty quick but I never did any running as a kid. I’m not really like other sprinters, I just liked doing it and did the 100m and long jump, or the high jump!
“So to hear I clocked that speed is amazing. I just spotted a gap and went for it. There were one or two defenders and I just wanted to burn them off. I stood them up then went for it.”
St Helens’ 40-10 semi-final hammering of Wigan gave them the luxury of the week off ahead of stepping out at Old Trafford, where Grace will follow in the footsteps of another pacy Welsh winger, Ryan Giggs.
But there has been no easing off. No putting the feet up while watching Salford beat Wigan to reach next Saturday’s
showpiece.
Saints treated the week as though they had a game as they look to send coach Justin Holbrook out in style, with August’s Challenge Cup final failure fresh in their minds.
Grace, 22, said: “This was just a chance to get yourself ready.
“But there’s no point playing the game in your mind the week before.
“Before Wembley I’d never been to a big final, so it’s given experience of how to handle them. No matter where it is, a
game’s just a game.”
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Reaching a Grand Final and having a week off sounds like the stuff of dreams to any player but for Grace there is a
downside.
Because Saints are there, he will not represent his country in the Rugby League World Cup Nines in Australia just
six days after the Grand Final.
Grace said: “I think Nines would really suit me. It’s something I’d enjoy and I love being in camp with Wales.
“I’d love to go but I know I can’t play because of appearing in the Grand Final. At least I’m missing it for a good
reason.”