It might only be the early stages of the Super League season in the Northern Hemisphere, but already St Helens look to be the team to beat once again.
The Merseyside outfit won a thrilling Grand Final against rivals Wigan Warriors last season, and it’s hard not to see Saints making the showpiece event this year.
Saints Picking Up Where They Left Off
Three wins from their first three Super League games saw St Helens make another flying start to the campaign. Salford Red Devils, Wakefield Trinity and Hull KR all fell to the reigning champions, while Leeds Rhinos could not stand in their way in the third round of the Challenge Cup.
St Helens are one of the biggest names when it comes to rugby league, and into the greater sporting arena. The influence of sport has grown into different industries over the years, and online pokies are just one field that has taken sport to its heart, with games like Football Rules and Tennis Stars. Saints will be eager to continue growing their brand, and the best way to do that will be with another title success this season. After a positive start, they will take some stopping.
Woolf Issues Warning
Despite only conceding two tries in their first three Super League games of the campaign, head coach Kristian Woolf feels there is even more to come from his side. After a 34-0 win over Wakefield, Woolf felt his players were playing hard for each other and claimed they “will get better”.
It’s certainly ominous signs for St Helens’ rivals, with the likes of Wigan, Hull FC and Castleford Tigers all looking to narrow the gap on Saints this term. The fact Woolf’s side have been able to make the fast start they have, with injury problems to deal with and players out of position, is even more impressive. It will be the job of the chasing pack to knock them off their stride, but it looks like it could take some doing once St Helens are back to nearer a full squad.
Saints eyeing Leaders Shield
St Helens just missed out on the League Leaders Shield in a curtailed campaign in 2020, and Woolf will want to get his hands on it this time around. Wigan managed to edge out top spot at the end of the regular season, but St Helens got their revenge in a nail-biting Grand Final showdown.
Wigan boss Adrian Lam will be hoping his side will have learned from the heartbreak of last season, in which they said farewell to skipper Sean O’Loughlin after the final. The Warriors have also made a positive start to the season, and it could well be a repeat of last year’s final this term. Few would deny Saints are the team to beat at present, and Woolf is clearly not resting on his laurels to bring more success to this famous club.
