Jack Welsby was pursued by St George Illawarra Dragons in recent times.
The Dragons are looking to find a player who can fill the hole left by Junior Amone as he faces potential NRL punishment.
Welsby began talks with the the Dragons but St Helens were swift in beginning talks of their own and the fullback has reportedly agreed to an extended deal until the end of 2028 which has no NRL clauses within it meaning a move down under is only possible if a sizeable fee is paid.
Now notorious NRL journalist, the Mole of Wide World of Sports, has claimed that maybe the fullback isn’t up to it taking to X to say: “Maybe he’s not up to it.”
This came as Australian page Rugby League News asked: “If this is true, why would he not want to come over and test himself? Even for two or three years. Very strange to be called the best in the UK but have no ambition to prove yourself to be the best in the world.”
In the past, Welsby’s former coach and Dolphins assistant Kristian Woolf has been open about Welsby and other St Helens star being good enough for the NRL saying that Saints vs Wigan Warriors derbies are the same level as the NRL’s intensity.
“I think players can be really successful on the international stage whichever competition they play in. I’d use some of those players as an example, I look at Jack Welsby as a 21-year old bloke last year and it certainly didn’t hurt him being in the Super League because he was outstanding in the World Cup.
“Tommy Makinson has done that for a number of years, so has Alex Walmsley and there’s plenty of others you could mention as well.
Welsby’s future seems to be determined but the question remains: is he good enough for the NRL? Surely he is given his performance in the World Club Challenge as well as the World Cup last year.
Even his performances in the series against Tonga, namely his superb assist for Tom Johnstone in the opening test, showed that the fullback is one of the best in the world wherever he plays.
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