St Helens revive Super League hopes with Magic Weekend future in balance

The curtain has fallen on Super League’s Magic Weekend: potentially for the final time. In the coming weeks IMG will make a definitive decision on whether an event that has been a staple on the Super League calendar for more than 15 years fits into the American media brand’s plan to redevelop rugby league and revitalise its long-term prospects.

There have already been suggestions that while IMG admires the concept of all 12 teams playing in the same stadium on the same weekend, which remains popular among players and spectators, there could be an opportunity to freshen things up. But whatever happens with the competition’s annual trip on the road to Newcastle, this year’s edition will have had a significant impact in shaping the end-of-season fortunes of almost every team in 2023.

On Saturday the big winners were Catalans, who moved top of the table with victory against Wigan, and Castleford, who eased their own relegation fears with a pulsating West Yorkshire derby victory against Leeds Rhinos.

Sunday was arguably even more season-defining, though. This competitive and unpredictable season has been epitomised by the fact the team who have won the past four titles sat outside the playoff places heading into Magic Weekend. This could be the weekend where St Helens’s quest for an unprecedented fifth successive Super League title came to life, though.

For 80 minutes on Sunday afternoon at St James’ Park it felt like the St Helens of old had resurfaced. Granted their opponents here were timid to say the least, but sides better than Huddersfield would have struggled to contain Paul Wellens’s side on this form. The Saints were majestic, with the winger Tommy Makinson scoring four tries and setting a Magic Weekend record for