St Helens ready for "tough" Catalans challenge in pursuit of Super League glory
St Helens star Sione Mata'utia insists he'd never show mercy on his big brother - but the champions must be even more ruthless to get back to Old Trafford.
The all-action back-row, 27, delivered another huge display as Saints dumped Warrington out of the play-offs on Saturday. Next, they visit Catalans in Friday’s Super League semi-final looking to move closer to securing a record-extending fifth Grand Final glory.
But Peter Mata'utia, 32, had a nightmare spell in what was his final game for Warrington. It included a costly spill at his own end when it was all square at 8-8, leading to Tommy Makinson’s match-winning 57th minute try.
Sione, 27, conceded he never misses the chance to rub it in with his sibling when they come face-to-face. He said: "I love playing him. Whenever I can rush out of the line and get him it’s always a little bit extra motivation.
"But growing up he’s always said if they’re not wearing the same jersey they’re not friends of yours: there’s no family on the field. It was tough for him. I think those errors were just him trying to change momentum and maybe trying too hard. I don’t know.
Gay rugby league referee lifts lid on how coming out affected officiating career
"It’s hard for me while I’m playing. I don’t really want to give him too much (grief) but it was just one of those games that just didn’t work out for him. That was maybe his last game in Super League so it’s a bittersweet feeling for me. But he’s had an outstanding career and I’m sure he’ll look back and think positively about it all."
Four-peat champions Saints were 8-0 up at the break after Lewis Dodd’s try and two Mark Percival goals but blew a raft of chances. Connor Wrench hit back with a fine solo try in the 43rd minute. Stefan Ratchford converted and soon levelled with a penalty as sixth-placed Warrington threatened a shock.
St Helens were too good for Warrington on Saturday (Getty Images)Who do you think will win this year's Super League Grand Final? Let us know in the comments below!
Saints also saw England prop Alex Walmsley yellow-carded for a high tackle - he’ll be sweating waiting to see if he gets banned for Perpignan - but Warrington’s Joe Bullock was also later sin-binned for a high shot.
His side’s chance went when Makinson scored his 23rd try of the season meaning retiring Saints legends James Roby and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook earned glory in their final home game. But Mata'utia conceded: “Warrington blew us apart at the start of the second half. It was really tough going.
“We’ve a lot still to improve. We do have some momentum going to France with ten wins on the bounce but none of it means anything in the finals. We were close to losing it today so Catalans is going to be a tough trip. They’ll be firing.”
Warrington caretaker coach Gary Chambers said new coach Sam Burgess will arrive in the middle of next month. He said: "Sam doesn’t need to rip things up. We just need small improvements and he’ll add smarts and ideas of where we can fix up."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
