Rugby League Defensive Record within Reach for St Helens
Rugby league enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating a landmark moment for St Helens as they stand on the brink of a Super League defensive record on Thursday evening against Huddersfield Giants.
Despite some early-season setbacks, Paul Wellens’ side have showcased their defensive prowess, conceding just 58 points in their opening eight league games – an outstanding achievement that places them among the best defensive teams in Super League history at this stage of the season.
“Who you are shows up first and foremost in defence,” he said, emphasizing the pride and commitment his players have demonstrated in that aspect of their game.
The irony is that the Saints can surpass the record set by Kristian Woolf’s 2022 St Helens side, who shipped just 66 points in their opening nine games. If Wellens’ men can hold the Giants to seven or fewer points on Thursday, they will stand alone as the stingiest defense to start a Super League campaign.
This remarkable feat would see them overtake the likes of Bradford Bulls’ 2000 side and Woolf’s 2021 St Helens team, both of which conceded fewer than 80 points in their opening nine matches.
While their attacking fluency has been questioned at times, Wellens is adamant that the team’s defensive identity is the foundation of their success.
Barring a defensive collapse against the in-form Huddersfield side, St Helens’ class of 2024 is poised to join an exclusive group of just seven teams in Super League history to have conceded 100 points or fewer in their opening nine fixtures, further cementing their status as one of the league’s defensive powerhouses.
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