Australian media tip this team to dethrone St Helens in 2023

St Helens are currently down under preparing for the World Club Challenge.

They take on St George Illawarra Dragons this Saturday as part of the NRL’s pre-season challenge.

They have named their strongest squad for the clash, in fact it is their strongest squad for some time after they went on to win the Grand Final despite missing some key players like Lewis Dodd and Alex Walmsley both of whom will feature.

Meanwhile, after missing his testimonial, Mark Percival will feature against the Dragons on Saturday.

After that they take on back-to-back NRL Champions Penrith Panthers on 18th in a game broadcast by both Channel 4 and Sky Sports.

The Saints have of course won the last four Grand Finals as well as a Challenge Cup in 2021 and three League Leaders’ Shields.

They are the team to beat, but some of the Australian press, despite the fact Saints are down under prepping for the World Club Challenge, have tipped Saints to relinquish their crown in 2023.

In their predictions for 2023, Zero Tackle tipped Wigan Warriors to dethrone St Helens:

“For the first time since 2018, someone other than St Helens will be lifting the Super League premiership trophy aloft.

“The Wigan Warriors, despite the loss of John Bateman, will face their four-in-a-row reigning premiers in the big dance and defeat their rivals, the likes of Jai Field and Bevan French massive alongside the departing Kai Pearce-Paul as they deliver the club’s 23rd championship.”

The Warriors would be many people’s pick for Grand Final glory and many are expecting a St Helens vs Wigan final.