Paul Rowley has explained why St Helens were without Nene Macdonald for Friday night’s win over Catalans Dragons, with any fear of a new long-term injury seemingly allayed.
Saints were already down to the near bare bones anyway and Macdonald became the latest senior player to drop out, with his replacement, Jack Campbell, confirming that he only learned of his debut at 11:30 on Friday morning.
Campbell would prove an incredible call-up as the 18-year-old scored two tries and saved another two in St Helens’ 34-18 win over Catalans, a win that was a major response to the loss against Toulouse.
Even after the win, Saints fans will have been concerned that they had suffered another season-ending injury given Macdonald’s surprise absence and the club’s torrid injury luck, however, Rowley seemed to confirm that it was a week-to-week issue.
“Nene had his knee drained yesterday and got a negative response to it today,” Rowley explained post-match with the Papua New Guinean international only a few weeks removed from a knee clear out.
Rowley added: “That’s the ongoing, weekly stuff that players are going through to get on the field for us.
“Credit to Nene for doing that week to week but this week was just a bit too much.”
Rowley explained that the negative response was likely a result of Macdonald being thrown back into the action so soon after the surgery, with injuries forcing St Helens’ hand on that one.
The coach revealed: “He’s already had the op but when you don’t let them recover adequately, that’s the detriment to that.”
St Helens play again next Friday in the derby against Wigan Warriors where Paul Rowley will be hopeful that he can call on the experience of the 32-year-old given the nature of the game.
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