St.Helens R.F.C. can confirm that Sione Mata'utia with his young family will return home to Australia at the end of the 2024 rugby league season.
A versatile and powerful rugby league player, Mata’utia has been a fantastic servant to our club and will depart with our best wishes come the end of the current Betfred Super League season.
Sione joined St.Helens in November 2020 ahead of the 2021 campaign from NRL club Newcastle Knights and has so far made 82 appearances for the Red V, scoring 18 tries for a total of 72 points.
A firm fans’ favourite thanks to his incredible athleticism which allows him to be comfortable playing in a number of positions, such as back-row, centre, or even prop.
Over the last four seasons, ‘Cee’ has played an important part in the Saints’ successes, whilst he missed out on the 2021 Challenge Cup Final he helped the team get there in the Cup campaign. In both 2021 he started at back-row at Old Trafford for his first Super League title, and earned his second the following year coming off the bench in the 2022 showpiece.
2023 began with arguably St.Helens’ most famous victory, winning the World Club Challenge against Penrith Panthers at their home stadium. Mata’utia started at back-row and showcased why he can be considered one of the best in that position in world rugby league.
Speaking to saintsrlfc.com Sione Mata’utia said: “It’s tough, I’m just trying to put everyone in the forefront of my mind when I made this decision and you know I’d love to for another 10 years here, but I have got a family as well. I’ve got a beautiful wife who looks after our kids when I’m always away, she takes all the wins and losses with me, as well as looking after our kids at home.
“It’s a big decision and I’m thankful to the Club that they have given me a lot of time, but I’ve got to think about my family first. They’re my whole life and we’re going home which is exciting, it’s scary, I don’t know what’s going to happen going over there, I might even be potentially retiring.
“It’s a hard decision because of the connection now that I have with St Helens, the players, the time I’ve been here, and what we’ve accomplished. I’ve been here four years now and the things I’ve done here in four years I’ve not done in my whole career, even in Australia.
“I would have loved to have continued here, but then I’ve got to think about my wife and my kids and they’ve been over here with me as well, supporting me.”
Eager and driven to finish his time on a high, Mata’utia is targeting a third Grand Final and winners’ ring.
“I’m excited to try and give it all I’ve got for the last few weeks of the season and give it a red hot crack. You always want more! It would finish everything off if we make it one more this year again, and everyone at the club deserves it. We have just got to put in the hard work, work together and give ourselves a chance.”
Head Coach Paul Wellens shared his thanks to Mata’utia saying: “Sione is a wonderful person and a brilliant player, he has added a lot to our team since he first came to join us, and we will miss him not only on the field, but off it too. On behalf of the Club I would like to wish Sione and all the family the very best for the future.”
