‘There’s none of that in Australia’ – St Helens forward on why he chose to extend his stay in Super League
Photo: David Neilson/SWpix
Curtis Sironen had words for the passionate St Helens fanbase in announcing he has signed a two-year deal to stay at the club.
Sironen, 29, is in his second season at the Totally Wicked Stadium and is now committed until the end of 2025.
The former Wests Tigers and Manly Sea Eagles back-rower was part of the Saints team that won a historic World Club Challenge in his homeland earlier this year.
He said: “I’m over the moon! As soon as I got here, I fell in love with the Club and the group of players and the fans, so I’m just honoured that I get to continue here for the next few years and hopefully have similar success to what I’ve already had here. I’m excited for the next few years.
“With the experience of the Grand Final last year and then going to Australia early this year, that togetherness of the Club and the success, it is something I’m chasing again. It was an easy decision for me.
“A massive thank you to all the supporters, living in the area you realise how passionate they all are. People talk to you if you’re in ASDA or out walking the dog, they ask how you’re going and how you’re enjoying it, tell you to rip into Wigan and things like that.
“The passion of this Club is different than anything I’ve ever experienced; I remember running out for my debut against Catalans in 2022 and just the roar and the singing because there’s none of that back in Australia – you take it for granted.
“Every game I run out and hear that I’m like ‘Wow!’ and you just can’t get used to it. I’m hoping I can make all the fans proud, and I think they’ve got a little song for me, hopefully, we get that chanted a bit more in the next few years!”
‘There’s very few like Curtis Sironen’
The Sydney-born forward is the son of Balmain Tigers legend and former Australian International Paul Sironen.
Curtis made his NRL debut with the West Tigers back in 2012 at the age of 18.
He has made 34 appearances since arriving at Saints, scoring five tries.
Coach Paul Wellens said: “I couldn’t be happier that Curtis will remain a Saints player, since he joined he has been a real tower of strength for us, and he has the potential alongside the likes of Sione (Mata’utia) and Joe (Batchelor) to be the best back-rower in the competition.
“We feel that Curtis has developed as a player under us and adds real value to the group, on and off the field. A diligent professional who looks after himself and for us it was an absolute no-brainer to keep Curtis around, and we’re delighted he feels the same way.
“There’s very few like him in Super League, over here you don’t get too many 6ft 4’, 112-kilo back-rowers. Siro provides that bit of impact on an edge and he’s such a skillful player for a big bloke and to have that in your team is a real asset.”