Whilst St Helens will ‘look to strengthen’ in the off-season, Paul Wellens has confirmed that recruitment will be done with one eye on not harming the opportunities and development of rising star George Whitby.
The 19-year-old playmaker debuted last year and was thrust into the Super League environment earlier this season as Paul Wellens backed the teen over club captain Jonny Lomax.
Whitby featured in every game from Round Seven through Round Fourteen, including the Good Friday derby against Wigan Warriors, and ahead of this Friday’s clash with Wigan, Wellens has confirmed that Whitby is once again an ‘option’.
Having noted his side only had the ball in Hull KR’s 20 metres for just 30 seconds last week, Wellens accepted that is side will ‘learn lessons’ and insisted that Saints are a ‘dangerous attacking team’, whilst confirming Whitby as someone he would back to play if needed.
The St Helens coach said: “I played him on Good Friday in a big game and I’m not afraid to play him at all in big games, because I trust him. I know his ability, and despite him being a young player, I know that he’s capable of playing some big games.”
St Helens still ‘looking at options’ for Mbye replacement but Whitby named as long-term successor
Whitby has featured only once for St Helens since that Round 14 game back in June, with his sole appearance coming in the loss to Leigh Leopards. Primarily, Moses Mbye has been the side’s half-back throughout that period but he’s confirmed to be leaving at the end of the season.
With the utility value of Mbye set to leave, the Saints boss was asked by Serious About Rugby League how he plans to replace the former State of Origin man and if that replacement would be in the form of a half-back, a hooker, or another utility.
“We’re still looking at those options, to be honest,” Wellens explained before dropping a key hint on where that recruitment will focus.
He followed up by stating: “We see George Whitby as a long-term half-back of this club. We certainly don’t want to be doing anything where we deny him an opportunity.”
Half-back options at the moment include Jonny Lomax and Tristan Sailor, who are both off-contract at the end of next year, whilst Whitby is tied down until 2028.
Circling back to replacing Mbye, Wellens said: “With the squad, we’re looking to strengthen, but we’ve got to make sure that we’re making the correct decisions, so we’re not rushing into any decisions.”
He was also full of praise for the 32-year-old, especially regarding how he has aided Whitby’s development.
“With Moses, he’s been exceptional for us,” declared the Saints boss, adding: “Obviously he has great versatility in terms of the number of positions that he can play, but what he’s contributed in the last eight, nine, ten weeks in particular has been nothing short of first-class in terms of the way he influences the team, how calm he is, he kicks the ball really well, he’s a good generator, he delivers a good message to the players.
“It’s been great for someone like George to watch how an experienced player like Moses goes about his business.”
