“That Saints team is getting gutted, won’t make the top four next season” – How social media reacted to Theo Fages’ move to Huddersfield

Super League’s worst kept secret was finally revealed yesterday when Huddersfield announced the signing of two-time Grand Final winner Theo Fages. The Frenchman burst onto the scene at Salford before being lured to St Helens where he’s developed into one of the league’s top halves and was key to the Grand Final successes in 2019 and 2020 before injury saw him left out in 2021. Thus, his move to West Yorkshire can be seen as a major coup for the Giants as they look to push for play-off rugby next year.

That’s how I viewed it anyway. But what did the rugby league world have to say about it?

How did social media react to the news?

Plenty of St Helens fans were devastated to see the departure of one of their key players over the last few years. His move, coupled with the departure of Lachlan Coote, perhaps marks the end of an era at the Totally Wicked Stadium and Saints supporters were sorry to see the Frenchman move on.

Gutted we are letting Theo Fages go 🥺☹️

— Tom Green (@Tom_Owen_Green) October 13, 2021

Absolute sin this lad has left the club, been outstanding throughout his tenure, Giants have got a great player!! Good luck for the future!!

— James Bird (@jbirdie89) October 13, 2021

Others struggled to find a reason behind his departure.

You assume they offered him a new contract, maybe they did but with a reduced salary and maybe 2 years, we probably won't ever no why or what the reasons are, but money means a lot to these players because they don't have football salary

— 🎥🎢👪🏉Gavin Harrison🏉👪🎢🎥 (@gavmark10) October 14, 2021

One supporter from outside St Helens made a snide comment perhaps echoing Bernard Guasch’s recent anger at the officials in St Helens’ Grand Final win over Catalans.

Will there be a Councillor available to him when he starts playing against the man with the whistle instead of with him.

— mark fielder (@ryhillrhino1) October 13, 2021

Most were simply impressed by the signing.

Theo Fages is an unbelievable signing for Huddersfield. He is going to ball out.

— Nathan (@Barnzekage) October 13, 2021

Meanwhile, others feared for St Helens. The Champions have lost a number of key players going into 2022.

That saints team is getting gutted. Won’t make top 4 next season…fact.

— Benjamin (@BenDoug72322847) October 13, 2021

That said, they still have some incredible players at their disposal including a young scrum-half ready to inherit Fages’ number seven shirt.

We’ve got a better scrum half who’s 19 😂😂

— Mark Lennon (@MarkLen29818673) October 13, 2021

As for Huddersfield, some questioned whether the Giants could capitalise on his arrival. After all, despite the hype going into 2021, they finished in the bottom four.

I thought Ian Watson said they are already a Top 4 team ,Apart from this Season 🤔

— Lubeck ross (@LubeckRoss) October 13, 2021

Nonetheless, Giants supporters were ecstatic with the move and believed his combination with Tui Lolohea and youngster Will Pryce could fire Huddersfield to huge success in 2022.

Theo Fages, Will Pryce, Tui Lolohea, if we aren't shooting for top 4 next season something is very very wrong and I don't know what it is anymore 😂 https://t.co/zcJg457ucC

— Nat (@NathanHales4) October 13, 2021