St Helens head coach Paul Wellens has opened up surrounding the future of some of his side’s players.
Saints have one game left of the regular season, and are hoping for a good result to avoid the first-ever Super League season where they miss out on the play-offs.
A win against Leigh Leopards would secure a play-off spot, but they will likely make the six even if they lose and all their rivals win, due to their superior points difference.
It has been a relatively poor season by the club’s high standards, and one in which a number of players have come in for criticism across the course of the season.
St Helens boss opens up on Waqa Blake’s future
Credit: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Waqa Blake is one of the players off-contract at the end of the season, alongside Ben Davies.
On their futures, Wellens said in a press conference: “We’ll probably wait until the end of the season. We have had discussions with both players, so they’re kind of in the picture in terms of what’s going on moving forward.
“At this stage of the year as a coach, leave those discussions to Mike Tapp, the player manager.”
Asked about Waqa Blake not being involved last week, he added: “It was selection. It was, again, some tough decisions, not only Waqa Blake, Jonny Vaughan, Ben Davies, Tee Ritson, players who have been playing and doing a good job for us.
“I thought Waqa’s last two games against Huddersfield and Warrington were two of his best defensive performances that he’s had since he’s been in the club.
“There’s a lot to like about that when you’re going into finals, that players prioritise the defensive side of the game, because ultimately I believe that’s what wins games.
“But I just had a tough decision to make, obviously Mark Percival was returning, that was a no-brainer for me to pick Percy and then there was a choice between Sione, Waqa, Ben Davies and Jonny Vaughan, as the other four.
“I thought Sione has acquitted himself in the centres really well, and his experience is invaluable to us, so that’s the kind of route I went on.”
