Sione Mata’utia agrees new Saints deal

St Helens have confirmed that forward Sione Mata?utia has extended his contract with the club until the end of the 2024 season, with an option to further the deal by a further 12 months.

Mata?utia has lifted the Betfred Super League in three consecutive seasons with St Helens since joining the club from NRL side Newcastle Knights ahead of the 2021 season. The 27-year-old also featured as St Helens memorably defeated NRL champions Penrith Panthers earlier this year in the World Club Challenge.

On the new deal, Mata?utia said: ?It?s good to finally get it done, I?ve got to thank the Club for allowing me the time to get through the process. 

?There was a lot that had to go into it in terms of whether it was going to fit for my family to stay here again, knowing my partner would be away from her family as well. [The Club] allowed me a lot of time to let this play out a little bit longer, so I?m grateful for that opportunity and for the opportunity to keep doing what I love to do now.?

St Helens boss Paul Wellens added: ?It?s a real positive for our Club that we can retain the services of a top-quality player like Cee (Sione Mata?utia).

?On and off the field, Sione is a well-liked member of our squad, and he brings a lot to the environment. He has bought into everything we as a Club do to try and be successful, and we always want to work with high-quality players to achieve what we set out to do.?

St Helens have already secured their play in the 2023 Betfred Super League Play-Offs as they go in the hunt for a fifth consecutive Grand Final victory at Old Trafford and that is firmly in Mata?utia?s thoughts.

The back-rower said: ?I know for me it?d be three-in-a-row, but I think about it being five-in-a-row because that would be more important. I want that because being a part of this team, in my own opinion, would make us one of the best teams ever in the Super League era and nobody could take it away from us if we did it. 

?We?ve still got a lot to improve on though which is the important thing. As long as we?re still finding things to improve on, building momentum, and having that going into the finals as well. Hopefully, we?re hitting our straps at the right time of the year.?

Tickets for the 2023 Betfred Super League Grand Final on Saturday 14 October at Old Trafford are available here.