‘There might be a chance’ – St Helens’ Sione Mata’utia makes uncertain future suggestion

Sione Mata’utia seems to have suggested his Super League future might still be up in the air, despite his planned exit being confirmed by St Helens last week.

With his contract at the Totally Wicked Stadium due to expire at the end of the Super League season, Mata’utia’s future was addressed by the Saints in a press release that stated he would be leaving the club. The statement included quotes from Mata’utia with the back-rower explaining the difficult decision and outlining his plans to go back home to Australia and potentially retire.

Mata’utia has a play-off clash with Warrington Wolves to look forward to next week after helping Paul Wellens’ side finish sixth in the Super League table. He’ll be hoping Saints can keep their hopes of success alive of course, and a win over the Wolves would put them just 80 minutes away from Old Trafford.

Whether Saints reach the showpiece event or not, Mata’utia will be heading back down under with his family in the off-season to assess his options and his next step in the game. However, in an interview with the Mirror after Friday’s game against Leigh Leopards, Mata’utia didn’t  rule out a return to England and St Helens for next season.

“I didn’t know how long I was going to be here for; I was only going to be here for two years and now I’ve been here for four,” he told the national newspaper. “There still might be a chance to stay. I don’t know. Officially I’ve said that I’m gone.”

He added: “I don’t know. I’ve been still trying to win over the missus. But we have to give the club notice as well. I can’t just keep dangling in front of them. I’ll go back home and reassess my situation whether I retire or not. We’ll see how we go. But it’s all good.”

Mata’utia, who is still only 28, joined St Helens from Newcastle Knights ahead of the 2021 Super League season. In that time he has helped the club win two Grand Finals and a World Club Challenge.