Wellens on why Saints promoted four youngsters to the 2023 squad

Although all four had some previous Super League experience last term, this promotion to a full time environment for George Delaney, Mackenzie Buckley, Ben Lane and Daniel Moss is an opportunity and reward for the work the quartet have done and the potential they have shown.

Delaney’s strong running was an outstanding feature in Saints’ defeat by Wakefield towards the end of the season, Moss caught the eye in a depleted team at Castleford after Easter and Lane twice played out of position on the wing on the last two weeks of the regular season.

Buckley debuted in that young Easter team at Castleford, but former coach Kristian Woolf was impressed with the packman’s efforts in the Academy’s opposed training session against the Tonga World Cup squad.

The Star’s Mike Critchley caught up with Saints coach Paul Wellens to ask specifically about the four newcomers.

MC: What have you seen in Dalaney, Buckley, Moss and Lane to earn an elevation to the top squad?

PW: It is a bit of a mixture. It is a reward for them with the way they performed in the Academy – we watch as many Academy games as we can and we liaise with Derek Traynor on how they have conducted themselves, not just for one year but during their time at the club.

It is a reward for their effort, but also an opportunity for them to step up and impress. Jon Bennison is almost a perfect example of what can be achieved if you apply yourself in a full time environment and want to dedicate yourself to it and earn the respect of the more senior players in the squad.

That is the challenge facing these guys who step up.

First and foremost, they are all great kids and open to learning. And there is an understanding that they are some way off being the finished article yet.

When young players do come up we want them to have a mindset on learning and being open to getting more out of themselves because it is a different environment, a challenging one and not one everyone takes to in the best way. We as a club pride ourselves on being elite.

Players like James Roby and Jonny Lomax set an example – and that is a high standard that they set and that can be daunting for some. But we look to provide these guys with an opportunity to grow as players.

MC: Someone like George Delaney stands out because of his physical stature and his style of quick, aggressive running. But the transition from age grade to open age can often be a challenge for a front rower – how do you manage that?

PW: We have had experience of that as a club in the past if you think of James Graham and Matty Lees after that, both playing in the middle. We have experience to draw on, but you are right in the sense that we do have to be careful and manage the workload of players such as George.

We have to remind ourselves that they are just young players and they, like everyone else, has to be patient and wait for opportunities and earn opportunities. We like George and bringing him up to the first team environment is an indication of that, but at the same time he has some way to go and improvement in him – but the raw materials are there for the makings of a very good front rower moving forward.

MC: Last year when Lewis Dodd was injured and Jonny Lomax ruptured his bicep, Daniel Moss stepped in at Castleford. There was a clamour to get him into the squad last year – can you explain the reasons why that didn’t happen?

PW: It was a bit different with Mossy – he was still working at the time and was not a full time player. He did a fantastic job when he came into the team – particularly that game at Castleford – but people have to understand that it is a different thought process around not just getting in the team but playing well, week-in, week-out in a key position.

Also, at that stage, we had a spine of Will Hopoate, Jack Welsby and Jonny Lomax which gave us experience and people used to playing in big games.

We know players only get that experience by playing – and that is the reason why we have brought him up this year, to earn more opportunities to earn more of those experiences. He is going to have to do that because it is not an easy team to get into.

MC: Ben Lane had a couple of runs on the wing at the end of last year in Super League. What attributes has he displayed?

PW: He is a six really but has played full back and did a great job when he came in and played on the wing last season – the first two game he has ever played on the wing.

In doing that it shows he is an intelligent footballer and can put himself in different positions and can handle what is thrown at him. He is a great kid and willing to learn, but he does have some versatility there which can be crucial when you are looking to force your way into a team.