St Helens contract news: Sione Mata’utia makes decision on future, targets more trophies

St Helens forward Sione Mata’utia has signed a new one-year deal with the Super League champions, with an option to extend by a further year.

The former Australia and Samoa international has made 56 appearances for St Helens since arriving ahead of the 2021 campaign from NRL side Newcastle Knights.

Mata’utia has won two Super League titles with Saints as well as their historic World Club Challenge win in Australia earlier this year.

The 27-year-old was out of contract at the end of the season – but he will remain at the Totally Wicked Stadium until at least the end of next season.

On his new deal, Mata’utia said: “It’s good to finally get it done, I’ve got to thank the club for allowing me the time to get through the process.

“There was a lot that had to go into it in terms of whether it was going to fit for my family to stay here again, knowing my partner would be away from her family as well.

“(The club) allowed me a lot of time to let this play out a little bit longer, so I’m grateful for that opportunity and for the opportunity to keep doing what I love to do now.”

Sione Mata’utia targets more silverware after signing new St Helens deal

Mata’utia has two Super League titles to his name, but more importantly, he wants to help Saints win their fifth in a row at Old Trafford this year.

He added: “I know for me it’d be three-in-a-row, but I think about it being five-in-a-row because that would be more important.

“I want that because being a part of this team, in my own opinion, would make us one of the best teams ever in the Super League era and nobody could take it away from us if we did it.

“We’ve still got a lot to improve on though which is the important thing. As long as we’re still finding things to improve on, building momentum, and having that going into the finals as well. Hopefully, we’re hitting our straps at the right time of the year.”

Paul Wellens hails ‘positive’ coup for Super League champions

Saints coach Paul Wellens says he is delighted to secure the services of Mata’utia for at least another season.

Wellens said: “It’s a real positive to our club that we can retain the services of a top-quality player like Cee (Sione).

“We’ve been patient with him as we know he and his partner have a young family, and here they are on the other side of the world, but we know he loves it here at Saints and has really enjoyed being in the UK.

“When the decision has been made to stay with us, we know it is a decision that has been made for the right reasons and so I’m thrilled that Cee will be staying with us for another year.

“He is an important and high-quality player that I know the rest of the squad loves playing alongside.

“On and off the field, Sione is a well-liked member of our squad, and he brings a lot to the environment. He has bought into everything we as a club do to try and be successful, and we always want to work with high-quality players to achieve what we set out to do.”

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