St Helens are down under to prepare for the World Club Challenge and take part in the NRL’s Pre-Season Challenge.
As they shone against St George Illawarra Dragons, one player gained huge praise from one of Australia’s finest every players.
Cooper Cronk was an NRL winner with Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters as well as a routine State of Origin winner and a World Cup winner with Australia.
He was really impressed by Jack Welsby saying during the coverage:
“I think he has that ability to predict where the ball is going to be. There was a line break through the middle where he knew the play was coming back this way and he hit the accelerator.
“The guy has been unbelievable in Super League and had a really good World Cup.
“He has that rare ability as a fullback to create tries through his passing game but also bob up for the offloads as well. He is very impressive.”
Meanwhile NRL winner with the Cronulla Sharks Michael Ennis added: “There always a few players who pop up who could play in our competition. Welsby is one and Makinson is another.
“Welsby has a really good balance of knowing when to pass the ball and when to put himself about when the ruck is quick.”
Meanwhile, Corey Parker, a former Australian and Queensland representative and an NRL winner in 2006 as well as a player who had the chance to play with the likes of Billy Slater and Darren Lockyer, was also impressed by Welsby.
Parker even likened him to Australia skipper James Tedesco.
“He moves similar to James Tedesco, just to be able to pop up through the middle, the crouch forward and able to break tackles. If you just watch his movements behind the play and where he tracks in and around the play the ball,” Parker said
Commentator Andrew Voss summed up Welsby well when he said: “He makes you watch, you’re anticipating that something is going to happen — and it often does.”
After all this excitement has built up around the young man, the Mole of Wide World of Sports has reported that NRL clubs are now chasing the fullback.
He has reported that there are several clubs keeping an eye on him and that they would be happy to pay a transfer fee for his services with him tied down to a long term deal with the Super League Champions.
But which three NRL teams are most likely to sign the young fullback:
The Dolphins
The NRL’s newest club are looking for some key players and have been looking for an ideal fullback to take them forward. The man who helped develop Welsby into the player that he is, Kristian Woolf is assistant coach and set to take over from Wayne Bennett. Fullback is the key position in the NRL and Welsby would be a perfect signing.
Gold Coast Titans
Another ex-St Helens coach in the shape of Justin Holbrook is in charge of the Titans. They are always in need of top players to try and heave them out of the shadow of their Queensland rivals. Welsby would be a brilliant signing.
Newcastle Knights
A club who have made a habit of signing English players in recent times, they have looked for a fullback and it remains to be seen whether Lachlan Miller is the solution. Welsby therefore would be a great signing.
Andy
February 17, 2023 at 11:28 pm
“one of Australia’s finest every players.”
“Ever” maybe?
3 articles read…all with simple errors. Embarrassing.