St Helens are the team to beat in Super League and have been since 2018 – that’s a fact.
What is more incredible is the fact that Saints have had to go through a few rebuilding stages in that time with the likes of Kevin Naiqama, Lachlan Coote and Theo Fages departing – essential cogs of the Grand Final-winning wheel in years gone by at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
So, heading into the 2023 season, which three signings could Kristian Woolf look towards?
Ricky Leutele – Huddersfield Giants
With Konrad Hurrell expected to depart for the NRL at the end of 2022, St Helens will need a new centre for 2023. Ben Davies’ natural position is centre and so he may take a shirt opposite Mark Percival. But, if ever there was a ready-made replacement for Hurrell it would be Huddersfield star Ricky Leutele. The powerful centre has enjoyed a tremendous few years in Super League and would thrive in the St Helens environment.
Brad Dwyer – Leeds Rhinos
With James Roby perhaps unlikely to go round again, that would leave St Helens without one of their main hookers. Joey Lussick can take half the mantle, but that would leave space for another number 9 and Brad Dwyer would be a perfect replacement. The livewire hooker would absolutely thrive off a pack as formidable as Saints. Dwyer is also out of contract at the end of 2022, making him ideal to pick up – and he has been linked with a move anyway.
Luke Thompson – Canterbury Bulldogs
If ever there was one man whose future seems to take another turn every other week it’s Luke Thompson. The former St Helens prop has been carving out a reputation for himself with Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL, but spoke a month ago about not ruling out a move back to Super League. It would probably be former club Saints that would win the race, but what a race it would be!
