Rugby League Legend Paul Sculthorpe Calls for Increased Effort from St Helens Players
Rugby league icon and former St Helens captain Paul Sculthorpe has issued a scathing critique of the club’s current players, demanding they show more fight and commitment to the jersey. With the Saints in real danger of missing the Super League playoffs for the first time in history, Sculthorpe has singled out several players, including centre Waqa Blake, for not meeting the club’s high standards.
In his column for the St Helens Star, Sculthorpe expressed his growing frustration with the team’s performances, stating that “far too many players are failing to produce.” He challenged the players, saying, “Either show fight or don’t pull on the Red V at all.“
The former Saints legend was particularly critical of Blake, accusing him of “strolling around the field without a care in the world.” Sculthorpe cited Blake’s lack of effort in a recent game against Hull KR as the “final straw,” highlighting an incident where the centre “pat a ball dead and concede a drop out when it was probably easier to catch and win a 20m restart.“
Sculthorpe also addressed the controversial red card shown to Tommy Makinson in the closing stages of the loss to the Robins, admitting he struggled to understand the decision. “I struggled to see any foul. Tommy had full control and wrap of May and there was no after-effects on his part,” he wrote. The former player questioned the “black and white” nature of the new laws, arguing that in a fast-paced contact sport, some level of head contact is inevitable.
As St Helens prepare to face the Huddersfield Giants in a must-win game, Sculthorpe’s call for increased effort and commitment from the players will no doubt resonate with the club’s passionate supporters. The Saints’ season hangs in the balance, and Sculthorpe’s words serve as a rallying cry for the team to rediscover the fighting spirit that has been the hallmark of the club’s success in recent years.
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