St Helens star set to return to Australia in the near future?

Sione Mata’utia has been linked with a return to Australia despite agreeing a new deal with St Helens.

This is because his older brother and former Warrington Wolves and Castleford Tigers star Peter Mata’utia has gotten the wheels turning on a potential family reunion.

Peter Mata’utia announced his retirement from the sport at the conclusion of the 2023 Super League season but in a surprise twist he has agreed to join Newcastle based club Lakes United.

The centre believes he still has five good years in him within the sport and wants to bring Sione back to Australia, back to Newcastle, so they can play alongside each other.

This could be where Mata’utia ends up at the expiry of his contract having turned down an NRL move ahead of the 2024 season.

He wasn’t the only backrower at St Helens to do so with Curtis Sironen staying at the club despite NRL interest.

Both backrowers joined the club at the same time and have proven to be very astute signings for the Saints.

Mata’utia joined St Helens November 2020 and has proven himself to be one of Super League’s finest forwards, showcasing his powerful running and strong defensive work, alongside his versatility to play anywhere in the pack or even at centre.

Mata’utia’s professional career began with NRL club Newcastle Knights where he came through their junior ranks to make his senior debut in 2014. Later that year Sione would become the youngest player to ever represent Australia at just 18 years and 129 days of age in the first of his three test appearances for the Kangaroos. Further honours would include an appearance for Samoa and for the World All Stars too.

In his debut campaign with Saints, he unfortunately missed out on the Challenge Cup Final win at Wembley but helped secure his first Super League title at Old Trafford, and followed it up with another championship winners ring in 2022.

In February 2023, Mata’utia was part of the historic World Club Challenge victory over Penrith Panthers, bringing back to the UK the Saints’ third world title in its history. In 2024, he is hoping to return to Old Trafford.