Paul Wellens and St Helens crave more glory after epic return from Australia
PAUL Wellens and St Helens went from top of the world to planes, trains and automobiles to get back for another crack at glory.
For the man who guided them to World Club Challenge glory soon found himself wondering what was going on and where he was during an epic 53-HOUR trek.
After achieving what seemed impossible to many with the 13-12 win at NRL champions Penrith Panthers, it was out of their Sydney hotel at 6am the following day.
Then it was to Thailand, then to Sweden, then to Heathrow after their Manchester-bound flight was diverted.
Following that came a road trip after they found the gate back to the north-west closed!
“A group of us had a globe-trotting experience,” said boss Wellens, who had another staff member and 12 players with him. “It was like planes, trains and automobiles.
“We left the Pullman Hotel in Sydney at 6am Sunday their time, then flew to Bangkok and had a nine-hour stopover. Then it was a flight to Stockholm, with a seven-hour stopover.
“We should’ve flown to Manchester but that ended up at Heathrow. We had a mad dash through there to try and get the plane to Manchester but the gate had closed on us.
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“So then we were sent a coach that picked us up and drove us back to St Helens.
“That’s three countries, four flights and a bus journey. We didn’t end up walking through the front door until 1am Tuesday our time!
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“But it was made all the easier on the back of a great result.”
Saints go from the sublime to the ridiculously small away dressing room at Castleford as their quest for a fifth straight Super League title begins.
But the players showed their intent by all turning up to an optional training session on Wednesday, even those who went through the 53-hour trip.
And Wellens believes the surroundings can bring more from his side, adding: “We look at it as a historic rugby league ground. It’ll be a different experience but one we look forward to.
“When you’re successful, it makes you want more and I’m not worrying about any player getting ahead of themselves.
“We know going to Castleford that what we did counts for nothing. We have to perform.”
Saints’ glory may actually end up having another effect - posing a further threat to England’s national team.
For France boss Laurent Frayssinous believes working with the very best can bring more from him as a coach before they take them on in April.
Frayssinous has already been given the job on the other side of the Channel until their home World Cup in 2025, as England fans wait to hear whether Shaun Wane will stay on after last year’s tournament in this country.
Every day he gets to work with the likes of Tommy Makinson, Jonny Lomax, Jack Welsby, Morgan Knowles and Alex Walmsley, who are likely to face the French in the mid-season Test.
And they unwittingly may be providing the grounds for international defeat.
Frayssinous, whose side could face an England team – the Knights if the first team’s Tonga series comes off – in the European Championship final, said: “Saints’ players will definitely teach me things as a coach. That’s already happening.
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“I’m really impressed at the standards the players set every day at training, what the leaders accept and don’t accept.
“I’m learning from them and I can pass those messages on to the France players. I’ll pass a few tips and messages on - this experience will certainly help.”