ST HELENS have released Papua New Guinea centre Nene Macdonald from his contract a year early.
“St.Helens RFC confirms it has reached a mutual agreement with Nene Macdonald to release the player from his contract,” was the press release quote.
The 32-year-old joined Saints on a two-year deal in December 2025 to reunite with former Salford coach Paul Rowley, who departed mid-season 2026.
Injuries restricted him to 13 appearances in which he scored three tries as the side failed to finish in the Super League play-offs for the first time.
The departure followed the signing of hooker Tom Starling from the Canberra Raiders, which took St Helens over the Super League’s 10-player overseas quota limit alongside other recruits under new head coach Kevin Walters.
Macdonald is currently on World Cup duty with Papua New Guinea and has been named in the side to face England at WIN Stadium in Wollongong on Friday.
He previously played almost 100 NRL matches for the Sydney Roosters, Gold Coast, St George Illawarra, North Queensland and Cronulla.
Spells in England also included Leigh, where he scored 27 tries in 27 appearances during their promotion campaign, Leeds and Salford.
St Helens thanked Nene for his time with the club and wished him well for the future.
