Super League

How the Australian press reacted to St Helens’ win over Penrith Panthers

by
Cam Pattison
February 18, 2023

St Helens are Champions of the World and they did it in Penrith Panthers’ own back yard.

So, how did the Australian press make of the win for the Saints against Australia’s best,

The Canberra Times played a lot of credit to the Saints saying they were more than a match for them: “Super League champions St Helens have sealed a World Club Challenge upset over Penrith, beating the reigning NRL premiers 13-12 in golden point.

“The Saints were more than a match for the Panthers.”

Meanwhile, the NRL.com focused on the error at the end from Stephen Crichton who broke English hearts in the World Cup: “But a dropped ball with their second set in golden point put the Panthers under immense pressure, and from there Dodd became the match winner.”

The Daily Telegraph focused a lot on the absentees at Penrith: “Koroisau and Kikau’s absence from the Penrith line-up, with both premiership-winning players now preparing to play for the Wests Tigers and Bulldogs respectively, was glaring.

“Mitch Kenny took at dummy-half while Wests Tigers recruit Luke Garner played on the Panthers left-edge, usually housed by Kikau.

“Nathan Cleary’s ability to play with confidence to his left-side was lacking.

“Kenny left the field in the 32nd minute – before later returning – for a HIA which only added to the disconnection in the Panthers attack.

However, they did praise the Saints too: “It took the might of England to do what every other NRL team have wanted to do for the past two years.

“The invincible Panthers have been dethroned, unable to claim a historic club-first World Club Challenge trophy by going down 13-12 in golden-point to a defiant St Helens.

“In a thrilling contest, St Helens halfback Lewis Dodd crushed the hearts of Panthers fans with a 25-metre golden-point field-goal.”

Meanwhile, Phil Rothfield was another to focus on Penrith’s absentees:

No Edwards. No kikau. No Api.
But you can only beat what’s in front of you. https://t.co/hXAHiVCcfA

— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) February 18, 2023

The Mole of Wide World of Sports meanwhile paid tribute to the Saints:

Congrats @Saints1890 – worthy champions of the world… wanted it more and ambushed a disappointing @PenrithPanthers side.

— The Mole (@9_Moley) February 18, 2023