26 January 2024 , 18:00
1021
0
New captain Jonny Lomax says it was a “no-brainer” to continue his St Helens career and he’s out to make more history.
The England stand-off, 33, has signed a two-year contract extension which takes him to the end of 2026 at least. By that point, Lomax will be 36 meaning he could play out his entire career with the club he joined aged 11. Saints also announced today that he would replace James Roby as skipper after the iconic hooker retired at the end of last season.
And news that Lomax’s long-term future is sorted will only further encourage fans ahead of the new campaign which kicks off against London on February 16. Lomax, who has scored 133 tries in 326 games since making his Saints debut in 2009, said: “It is a no-brainer for me. The club means an awful lot to me and I'm proud to represent it.
“It was a dream come true because all I wanted to do was play for Saints when I was a kid, and I've achieved another dream in my career with the captaincy. Robes [James Roby] is a huge act to follow, but that's for everyone too. At the same time it's quite exciting. Sometimes having a tough act to follow can get the most out of you.
"Like when people say that you can't do things on the field, you've got that bit of stubbornness, that bit of, ‘Come on, we'll get after it,’ and I think that's what's exciting about this year. It is something that I'm very proud of, and something that I hope to do justice as well.”
Gay rugby league referee lifts lid on how coming out affected officiating career
Lomax has won five Super League trophies, four League Leaders’ Shields, the Challenge Cup and last year’s World Club Challenge in Penrith. He featured in all of Saints’ four Grand Final victories in a row, winning the Harry Sunderland Trophy as man of the match in 2022. After seeing their record-breaking Super League run come to an end, Lomax hopes to be the person to lead them back to glory.
St Helens' Jonny Lomax is the club's new captain (PA)But he is also keen to make sure Saints are strong even after he has finally hung up his boots. Lomax said: “We want to instil good habits, good processes, and a good culture into the club. You want to help the next group [Academy graduates & players] grow, learn, and evolve moving forward.
“I suppose in some ways you become a bit of a teacher as well, that can be off and on the field. You want to have an everlasting effect on some of the people that you know hopefully will be here for a long time after I'm gone as well.”
Saints boss Paul Wellens, who played alongside Lomax for so many years before becoming his coach, said: “I’m delighted Jonny’s opted to extend his stay with the club. It goes without saying Jonny has been and is still very much an integral part of the team.
“His professionalism and diligence is second to none and the fact he has achieved great success over a prolonged period of time is clear evidence of this. With the captaincy, as head coach I don’t feel I’m giving Jonny an opportunity.
"I very much feel like this is an opportunity earned by himself and I know that he will be immensely proud to lead the team in 2024. I feel confident that Jonny, with the support of his teammates, can drive the team on to further success in the future.”