‘St Helens would be a top four team in the NRL’: Coote

BY JOHN DAVIDSON

Lachlan Coote believes St Helens would not only be competitive if they played in the NRL but would be a top four team.

Coote has won grand finals in both the NRL and Super League, with North Queensland and St Helens, and spent three seasons at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Saints have claimed the past three titles in a row and currently sit on top of the Super League ladder as they push for a fourth grand final crown.

The Red V have been the dominant force in English rugby league since 2019 and the fullback, veteran of more than 240 games in both hemispheres, feels they would make a real impact if they played down under against the likes of Penrith, Melbourne, Parramatta and the rest.

“I always said this when I was there, I used to talk to Paul Wellens and obviously Kristian Woolf as well about it, lets take St Helens and put them in the NRL and see how they’d go,” Coote told rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads.

“I reckon they’d be up there in the top four.”

The 32-year-old believes it is St Helens’ work ethic, defence and culture that stands them apart.

“Just their effort,” Coote said. 

“I think they’ve had a few little injuries – losing Lewis Dodd has been a massive loss for them. But when one player’s out, another one steps up and does the job for them.

“That’s what it has been when I was there. They’re so consistent and whoever steps in and does their role, does their job. It’s the simplicity around it. 

“They just work so hard for each other and that’s what they’re good at. 

“Especially defensively as well, there’s no lack of effort in their team and that’s why they’re so hard to beat.”

St Helens have lost just 16 regular Super League games since the start of 2019, winning 68 out of a total of 84 matches.

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