St Helens the best ever Super League side? That’s debatable
Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix
Wigan great Pat Richards has shrugged off claims that St Helens’ history makers are the best side ever, and has backed the Warriors to end their rivals’ dynasty.
Kristian Woolf’s side won a stunning fourth Grand Final in a row as they outclassed Leeds at Old Trafford last weekend, with Woolf saying any debate about the best ever Super League side could now be put to bed.
Richards won Grand Finals with Wigan in his Man of Steel season of 2010 and again in 2013, and admits it has been tough to watch Saints’ recent dominance.
“I find it hard to give them the wraps they deserve but I will!,” he said in this week’s Love Rugby League Podcast.
“They won four in a row which is an amazing achievement in this era. Incredible what they did. But are they the greatest side? That’s debatable.
“There have been some outstanding sides in the Super League era. The Leeds sides, Bradford sides, some of the Wigan teams. But they have won four in a row that no one else has done so it’s hard to complain with that one. Hopefully Wigan can stop that next year and get one back on them.”
RICHARDS: Wigan gave me the best eight years of my life
Pat Richards backs Wigan to end St Helens dominance
Richards believes Challenge Cup Winners Wigan remains the sport’s great entertainers, with the current star men emulating icons of years gone by.
He said: “The way Wigan were playing this year with Jai Field and Bevan French, the fans love that style of play dating back to Martin Offiah, Jason Robinson and Billy Boston where they can score from anywhere.
“They have always had exciting players in their sides. They are the side to shake things up with St Helens, it’s going to be hard to get five in a row but they’ll have a crack.
“French is an out and out try scorer. Some guys just have knack for it. Like Offiah, he used to sniff a try out, Bevan has the same knack, right place, right time.”
PODCAST: Pat Richards reflects on career, representing Ireland and life after league
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