Head coach Paul Rowley has fielded plenty of questions on how he will tackle St Helens’ spine going forward after two key injuries with the 50-year-old emphasising the need to focus on the ‘big picture’.
For him, that means keeping the starting XIII and bench as strong as possible throughout without shuffling too many pieces to create a weak spot anywhere else.
Having lost Jack Welsby (shoulder) and Jonny Lomax (wrist) to long-term injuries, Rowley must now replace his starting full-back and his ‘talisman’. Asked if he favoured the approach of fixing up the spine to the best it can be, or allowing consideration given centres Harry Robertson and Nene Macdonald are two full-back options, Rowley admitted it’s all about balance.
“I think I’ve got to try and make the big picture as strong as I possibly can,” he told media when previewing Saturday’s clash with Catalans Dragons.
“You might add a bit somewhere and lose a bit somewhere but I don’t think you can leave the team with an obvious flaw or anything like that, so we’ll just pick whatever works in terms of the best balance for the team.”
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What could St Helens’ spine look like going forward
With Macdonald (quad) a doubt for the weekend, shifting Robertson to full-back would leave Saints without their top three centres, however, if Rowley utilises Tristan Sailor in that role then he would be breaking up his preferred halves pairing of Sailor and Jackson Hastings.
He said: “I don’t think anyone could have envisaged losing your starting full-back and then your talisman there in Jonny as well.
“It’s backs to the walls a little bit in that respect so I don’t think anyone is complaining and everyone is saying pick me wherever that may be, and that’ll be the case with Tristan and Harry.”
Should Sailor move to full-back then teen George Whitby would likely be deployed in the halves with Rowley confirming that the youngster will be ‘there or thereabouts’ in respect to the matchday 17, adding: “He’s certainly an available option.”
Fellow young gun Harry Robertson shone at full-back in the win over Leigh Leopards but Rowley wouldn’t commit to him being the long-term solution in that role whilst Jack Welsby recovers.
“It could be, we’ll see. I’ve not made my mind up on that one so we’ll see,” the coach, holding his cards close to his chest, stated.
He wasn’t as secretive in praising Robertson though, stating: “He made a great contribution to the game, certainly after coming up with an error on his first involvement but he bounced straight back and showed a lot of character.
“We recognise that as a group here and we’re delighted with Harry and he looked like he enjoyed himself but it wasn’t a surprise, that’s what he does and we’re pleased for him.”
With the club still awaiting a verdict on Nene Macdonald’s health, any decision on who will play where in the spine may be a last-minute one but having versatile talents like Robertson and Whitby available certainly makes Paul Rowley’s job easier.
Predicted St Helens’ backs against Catalans Dragons: FB: Harry Robertson, WG: Lewis Murphy, CE: Deon Cross, CE: Matt Whitley, WG: Kyle Feldt, SO: Tristan Sailor, SH: Jackson Hastings, Bench: George Whitby
