“Most difficult decision I’ve had” – St Helens boss speaks on half-back decision amidst “exceptional” George Whitby verdict

St Helens head coach Paul Wellens has spoken on his decision to drop captain Jonny Lomax and previewed his half-back decision for this week.

Club captain Lomax had been carrying an ankle injury the round prior which allowed 18-year-old George Whitby to step up and the teenager seized the opportunity against Wakefield Trinity.

That gave St Helens head coach Paul Wellens a decision to make and he opted with the young gun in a decision that Wellens has now revealed to be the toughest he’s made since taking the job at the start of 2023.

Speaking with the media ahead of Thursday’s clash with Warrington Wolves, Wellens confirmed: “First and foremost, it’s the most difficult decision I’ve had since I took the job and to be quite honest with you he’s a player and a person who I hold in the highest regard.

“You can’t understate what Jonny has done for this club and this team and how pivotal he has been in terms of the recent success that the club’s had. He’s almost been the heartbeat of the teams so when you make a decision like that, you don’t take it lightly. But to Johnny’s credit, he’s handled it really well.”

“Response has been perfect” – Jonny Lomax praised after Good Friday derby snub

Lomax made his Super League debut aged 18, just like Whitby, and Wellens revealed how well his skipper has managed the situation and supported the young talent.

“He’s provided a huge amount of support for George Whitby,” the St Helens head coach explained.

“Jonny understands that being an 18-year-old half-back is not easy and he had that experience so he’s certainly put his arm around George and give him all the support that he needs.

“That’s wonderful for me to see as the coach because when you’re a captain, you’re obviously quite used to playing every week and being in the team every week.

“I experienced something similar at the back end of my playing career and there’s a certain way that you’ve got to handle it and Jonny’s response has been perfect.”

Both men have been named to St Helens’ 21-man squad to face Warrington so Wellens will have to make the call once again, though Whitby seems somewhat undroppable based on his showing against Wigan.

St Helens boss ‘not surprised’ by George Whitby debut

We caught up with George Whitby following his first taste of the Good Friday derby.

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The call to back Whitby in the first place was no doubt made easier by how well he went against Wakefield in Round Seven, however, it was still a massive one considering the occasion with over 24,000 in the Brick Community Stadium on Good Friday.

Whitby caught the eye of most rugby league fans with former Saints man Leon Pryce backing the teen to play the rest of the season, such was his performance, but it wasn’t a performance that surprised Wellens.

“No, I wasn’t,” he responded when asked if Whitby’s assured 80 minutes had come as a shock.

He added: “I had every confidence that he was going to take to the challenge. We’ve done a little bit of work since the weekend with Lee Briers in particular with George around a few improvement areas from the game.

“He’s got a real thirst to want to get better and want to improve and that’s wonderful to see. For a young man, 18 years of age, to handle that occasion and play the way he did, I thought he was exceptional. He has shown very early in his career that he was going to be a really important player for us moving forward.”

With Whitby doing extras with attack coach Lee Briers, it could suggest that he will retain the role for Thursday’s match against Warrington Wolves with Wire also set for an inexperienced half combo given George Williams’ injury.