“That’s all we can do” – Wellens hits back in St Helens pitch saga

St Helens’ head coach Paul Wellens has responded defensively to comments made by Adrian Lam about the state of the pitch at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Leigh Leopards made the trip to face St Helens last week and fell to defeat but it was injuries and incidents that were the talking points of the game as opposed to the gameplay.

John Asiata was sin binned after 41 seconds, something that caused major controversy, and Paul Wellens offered his opinion on.

However, upon returning to the field Asiata went off injured with what has been confirmed as a torn calf and head coach Adrian Lam suggested the pitch was at fault.

Speaking to the press, he said: “There was a lot of complaints about the heaviness of the field.

“It’s something we’re disappointed about… I just think that the pitch needs to be looked at as well to make sure it doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

Wellens has since fired back, stating: “It doesn’t need checking. It’s been checked, and I’m sure it’ll get checked again.”

He was accepting that the pitch wasn’t perfect but given the winter weather, it wouldn’t be expected to be perfect with Wellens defending the work of St Helens ground staff.

He continued: “Unfortunately, the field at the moment isn’t in the best condition. We acknowledge that, and we understand it comes with it’s challenges. We’ve got ground staff who are working tirelessly to try and do what they can to get the surface in as best condition as possible. That’s all we can do.

“I also watched a number of games throughout Super League. We’re certainly not the only club that is facing those challenges.”

St Helens to make changes in the centres

Saints play Salford this week but Paul Wellens has been forced into some changes, some enforced through suspension and others through injury.

Centre Konrad Hurrell was hit with a ban meaning he’ll miss the game and Paul Wellens reacted to his absence stating: “It’s the way the game has gone.”

“I don’t feel like there was a lot Konrad could have done differently but we understand where we’re at as a game now.

“It was the lowest end of the charge in terms of Grade B for head-on-head contact. There was contact. We accept that and we move on.

“Konrad is disappointed because he wants to play this week, but that’s the challenge we face.”

Thankfuly for St Helens, they will likely be able to replace Hurrell with NRL recruit Waqa Blake who looks set to return after missing out last week.

Wellens had explained that Blake missed the game against Leigh due to illness and that the former Parramatta man could return having been named in the club’s 21-man squad.