St Helens have confirmed the permanent signing of Saturday night’s tryscoring hero Shane Wright. The forward is currently on loan from Salford Red Devils but he has signed a two-year deal with the Saints to secure his future until 2027 at least.
Wright scored the try that put St Helens into the play-off semi-finals on Saturday night as he finished a 16-pass move after the sound of the hooter to stun Leeds Rhinos and send the Saints through to the final four.
As such, while he has played just two games for the club, he has already written his name into St Helens folklore. And, the Australian, who started his career with Gold Coast Titans before an NRL debut came with North Queensland Cowboys, has now agreed to join the Saints permanently.
It brings an end to his four year spell at Salford, who he joined in 2021 from the NRL.
Wright becomes the first signing announced for next year by St Helens and with a raft of key players leaving the club, it’s clear he won’t be the last addition for 2026.
Shane Wright joins St Helens permanently
“I’m buzzing,” Wright told St Helens’ club media after signing. “To be given an opportunity at a club like Saints just for the rest of this year was massive, but now to extend my stay for another two years — I’m over the moon.”
“It’s a great group, the boys have been so welcoming, and the coaches have made my role really clear. The transition has been very simple, and I’m excited about what’s ahead.”
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On Saturday’s heroics, with the try being dubbed ‘Left to Wright’ in a nod to the famous ‘Wide to West’ effort from 25 years ago, Wright said: “It didn’t really feel real the next day, but it’s sunk in now. Honestly, I was just in the right place at the right time, and I think nearly everyone in the team on the field touched the ball, so everyone played a role.
“The slogan ‘Never Write Off the Saints’ is around the club, it’s embedded in everyone who walks through the doors here. Saints have been renowned for doing it over the years. Luckily, we could do it on the weekend.”
Speaking about his side’s first 2025 signing, Wellens said: “Whilst he’s probably the man of the moment following last weekend’s marvellous try, we are thrilled that Shane will be staying a St Helens player for the next two years.
“Since coming into our environment, he has applied himself with the utmost professionalism and has fit in fantastically. He adds plenty of strength and power to our pack, and I’m sure he will be a brilliant member of our team going forward.”
