Wellens wants to put the record straight

Correspondent

St Helens full-back Paul Wellens is determined to help guide his side to success in their vital Engage Super League Grand Final meeting with local rivals Wigan Warriors on Saturday October 2.
 
Wellens was part of the last St Helens side to win the Grand Final at Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium in 2006 and despite making it to the sports showcase event every year since, Saints have lost out to Leeds Rhinos in the last three Grand Finals. Wellens is hoping to go one better this year and make the side’s fifth consecutive appearance at the Theatre of Dreams one to remember for the right reasons.
 
“Obviously we’ve been disappointed with the last few seasons in not quite getting the job done,” said Wellens. “This is a totally new year and a new challenge and what’s happened in the past will have no relevance on how we perform on the weekend.
 
“We have a lot of respect for Wigan for what they have achieved throughout the season. They’re a great side and we know we’ll have to play well to win. They’ve got a workman-like attitude and have come on leaps and bounds in the last few seasons and they have talent throughout the side.
 
“We both had tough games last weekend so we’ve both come into the final on the back of big performances and we’re both playing very well so it’s a tough game to call. The two fixtures we had in Super League over the year were very close so I expect this game to be no different.”
 
Playing alongside Wellens in that 2006 winning side was iconic St Helens player Keiron Cunningham who will be playing his last ever game for the club when they take to the pitch at Old Trafford and Wellens admits that the squad would love to see their captain off with a winning performance.
 
“It’s a big factor for us,” he said. “We make no secret of how highly regarded Keiron is at the club and for someone to play 17 seasons at the top level of the game is just phenomenal. We just hope we can play well at the weekend and give Keiron the result we feel he deserves.”