St Helens gem is in GOAT conversation, claims bedazzled Super League boss

St Helens winger Tommy Makinson has to be considered one of the greatest wingers in Super League history.

That’s according to his head coach, Paul Wellens, after Makinson’s rich vein of form continued on Sunday to keep the Saints in the hunt for the League Leaders’ Shield.

Makinson scored twice in the Saints’ 32-16 win at Wakefield to make it six straight wins for the reigning champions, as well as 10 tries in the last five games for Makinson. He also moved ahead of Leon Pryce into seventh on the competition’s all-time top try-scorer list, with 174 to his name now.

And Wellens – one of only six men ahead of Makinson on the Super League try charts – insists that Makinson must be talked about as one of the finest wingers to have taken to the field in the summer era.

“He’s a few tries behind me, but he’s scored his in a lot quicker time,” Wellens said.

“When you talk about Super League’s best wingers of all time, he’s in that conversation now and he’ll be even more in that conversation in three, four, five years… Whenever he decides to stop playing. He’s that good.

“There are no signs of Tommy letting up and he will continue to climb that list. We all love him and it’s great to see him do well.”

St Helens favourite Tommy Makinson playing with a smile on his face

Wellens also admitted Makinson’s impressive recent form, which coincides with the Saints’ upturn in fortunes too, is largely down to the fact the England international appears to be enjoying his rugby once again.

The Saints head coach said: “Tommy is the type of player who I love seeing play with a smile on his face.

“He wasn’t doing that for a few weeks, but he is now and when Tommy enjoys his rugby, it reflects in his performances and I think that’s what we’re seeing.”

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