St Helens star’s knee “blown to smithereens” by “incredibly dangerous” tackle

Leigh Leopards are headed to Wembley after they defeated St Helens in a nail biter at Warrington Wolves’ Halliwell Jones Stadium yesterday and the Leopards will now face the winners of Wigan Warriors vs Hull KR at Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley stadium.

There were plenty of talking points to take out of the game, that much is true and though we should give Leigh all the respect in the world for what was one of the best performances you will see from any side in 2023, it is impossible to deny that some things went there way such as injuries.

In the first half Saints lost Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook to a quad injury. Morgan Knowles also suffered a knock to the knee which he would later play on with.

Alex Walmsley also suffered a knock to the knee whilst Agnatius Paasi was the worst one.

According to Paul Wellens on Saints TV his knee was “blown to smithereens.”

This came after a tackle Jon Wilkin labelled “incredibly dangerous” on social media though he stressed he felt that there was no intent behind it but in a period where tackle height is discussed at length he highlighted it.

“Lot of talk about tackle height, these may be the most dangerous tackles I’ve seen. Two players seasons over,” he said on his Instagram story.

“I’m sure it’s not malicious, but it’s incredibly dangerous.”

This could be a huge blow in what many people have been calling St Helens’ “drive for five.”

They are chasing a fifth consecutive Super League title and have been considered favourites for much of the season by the vast majority of fans and pundits.

Though this is a blow, the Saints have proven in the past that they can cope with injuries winning the Grand Final last year without Alex Walmsley and Lewis Dodd.

It now seems that they will have to do it without Agnatius Paasi in 2023.

It remains to be seen if Walmsley, Knowles and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook will have long lay-offs.

The Saints should have Mark Percival and James Roby back next week whilst surely Curtis Sironen will also be back in the mix soon.