St Helens coach Paul Wellens is hoping his side’s World Club Challenge victory over the Panthers will see several Super League stars stay in England’s top flight.
The English champions secured a 13-12 golden point victory over the back-to-back NRL premiers on Saturday night, courtesy of a 82nd minute Lewis Dodd field goal.
Australian clubs are always on the lookout for potential stars and many English players, including Josh Hodgson and John Bateman, have made successful moves to the NRL.
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St Helens fullback Jack Welsby has reportedly caught the eye of NRL coaches, but Wellens believes their huge win at BlueBet Stadium could convince them to remain in England.
“I consider it a privilege that clubs on this side of the world would like to take our players, because that means we’re doing something right,” Wellens told the AAP.
“But at the same time we have to create an environment where players want to stay and be a part of it.
“I don’t know the individual ambitions of every single player within our squad, but I do know to a man they are all extremely happy pulling on a Saints jersey and coming over to Australia and performing like they did.”
Wellens also made it clear he wants attitudes towards the Super League to change after his side beat one of the NRL’s most dominant teams.
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Australia’s competition is often considered the best in the world, however Wellens wants to “change opinions”.
“We haven’t won Super League with ease over the last four years.,” Wellens said.
“I hope people realise that the Super League is a strong competition. Although it’s not at the level of the NRL on a consistent basis, it’s not doing a lot wrong.
“We’re a strong competition in our own right, and we’re trying to get better and improve.
“I hope this performance can be a catalyst for change, and a catalyst for improvement in rugby league on our side of the world.”
