St Helens NRL recruit explains Lee Briers influence as he arrives at the club

St Helens new signing Tristan Sailor has arrived at the club ahead of making his Super League debut in 2025.

The versatile back has signed from Brisbane Broncos after a season in which he filled in well for superstar Reece Walsh at full-back.

He made an appearance in 12 NRL games in 2024, making the most of the times that Walsh was unavailable (through both injury and State of Origin), and he should be able to replace some of Lewis Dodd’s creativity, with the Englishman heading to South Sydney Rabbitohs.

He has nailed down full-back as his primary position in recent years, and will likely move Jack Welsby to the halves in 2025, in what feels like a new era for Saints – one in which they’ll hope to restore former glory after a poor season in 2024.

St Helens NRL recruit explains Lee Briers influence as he arrives at the club

Speaking to club media after arriving at St Helens, Sailor said: “It’s obviously always been a major club in the Super League and I’ve always heard stuff about it from James Graham when I was at Dragons and being with Lee Briers recently.

“I guess you see all the trophies behind me here and it is such a prestigious club, so to get the opportunity to play for that sort of club is awesome.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing all the fans and what a good community it is.”

He continued to detail the impact of new assistant coach Lee Briers, saying: “Pre-season is where the combinations are made, that’s where they’re built and you get to know playing with each other.

“And again, I think Lee will play a massive factor in that as well because he’ll come in with his attacking structures.

“Lee and I, we clicked from day one of preseason we met, we both got to the Broncos at the same time and, honestly, throughout my whole career, probably he’s up there with the biggest impacts.”

He added: “We just think very similarly and we throw ideas off each other, which I think helps us both improve and see where we can improve, especially attack.

“We’re both very much attacking players and he has been major for me over the past two years at Broncos, and I’m really excited to transition here with that relationship.”

He also sent a message to Saints fans, saying: “Again, he was a big factor in me coming here, Briers and I have a very good special relationship, so I’d definitely speak to the fans and say ‘get your tickets’, because I think there is gonna be some great footy played this year.”