St Helens have set their sights on a Tongan international player for 2026 as they look to bolster their squad with a distinguished NRL man who can bring in an abundance of experience to replace the multiple veterans set for departure.
Saints have over a dozen players off contract at the end of the season with a number of stars either confirmed to be leaving or reported to have signed with other clubs anyway.
Among those players are Curtis Sironen, Joe Batchelor, Matt Whitley and James Bell, adding to the confirmed departure of Morgan Knowles to the NRL.
With Knowles leaving and Batchelor and Bell joining Hull FC, a lot of experience will be heading out of the dressing room, something that Paul Wellens needs to address by recruiting players with equal stature and knowledge of the game.
The Red Vee reportedly are set to do that, as they set their sights on South Sydney Rabbitohs utility forward, Siliva Havili, the Tongan international who has played over 250 career games with 170 of those in the NRL.
The 32-year-old was offered to Super League clubs earlier this year, but NRL outlet ZeroTackle are reporting that Saints are the club ahead of the rest when it comes to attracting his signature.
St Helens set sights elsewhere after Josh Papalii snub
After looking like they have missed out on the signing of Josh Papali’i from Canberra Raiders, Saints have turned their attention to the 17-time Tongan international, who featured for Kristian Woolf’s side in all three matches against England in 2023.
Speaking on a potential move two weeks ago, Havili said: “That’s definitely an option [to go to England]. I’ve got options to play here too.
“I still think I’ve got a lot of footy in me. I’m just happy to explore my options. I’ve got a young family to look after. I’m open to every option and everything out there.”
St Helens have a rich recent history with Tonga. Former coach Woolf is the national team head coach, and current player Konrad Hurrell has represented them in the last two World Cups. The club also hosted the side during the 2021 World Cup, in which Havili featured once.
