Daily Star

WE’LL KEEP A LUKE OUT

RUGBY LEAGUE Wilkin ready for backlash

- By JULIE STOTT

®

JON WILKIN admits that he is wary of former team-mate Luke Walsh proving a point over St Helens today.

The Aussie half-back was released by Saints at the end of last season after a disappoint­ing three-year spell at the club. Walsh never totally won over the fans and his playing form was hampered by injuries. But skipper Wilkin knows the 29-year-old is more than capable of turning on the magic for new club Catalans Dragons. He said: “Luke was really great and played exceptiona­lly well in spells for us but he got a really bad injury and that can have a huge effect. “It takes time to get confidence back and to get movement back and it disrupted his career at Saints and ultimately it’s one of the reasons he is not here now. “But he will be hugely motivated to put in a great performanc­e against us. He is certainly a threatenin­g player.” Saints desperatel­y need to win in Perpignan tonight after losing their last three Super League games.

Threat

They have only a scratchy opening round win over Leeds to their credit and fans are starting to get on coach Keiron Cunningham’s back.

The under-fire boss was happier with his side’s performanc­e in the defeat at Hull last weekend but knows he needs a win, as well as a good display, tonight.

But Cunningham admits he also expects Walsh to be determined to prove a point.

“He is a profession­al and we all know what Walshy brings,” he said.

“We know he is going to be a threat so we have to be smart with him. We know what he can do so we have to target that and nullify it as best we can.”

Catalans are hoping to bounce back after a 46-10 thrashing at Leeds last week and a home draw with Widnes the week before.

Cunningham said: “It is always a tough place to play away no matter what has gone on but we are looking forward to it.”

Zeb Taia made a mixed start for Saints against Hull following his surprise arrival from Gold Coast Titans in a swap for Saints’ youngster Joe Greenwood.

But Cunningham has backed him to make a massive impact once he has got used to his new team-mates.

He said: “Zeb did not have the greatest night with the ball against Hull but he kept playing and that is what I liked.

“He did not go into his shell and did not lose that composure. He is working hard to learn our systems but he understand­s footie and how the game works.”

Taia played for the Dragons between 2013 and 2015 and the 32-year-old forward admits: “It will be weird playing against them.”

 ??  ?? OLD BOY: Dragons star Luke Walsh during his Saints days
OLD BOY: Dragons star Luke Walsh during his Saints days

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom