JAKE WINGFIELD has put his hand up to step into Morgan Knowles’ shoes when the England star leaves St Helens at the end of this year.
Testimonial man Knowles is heading to the NRL’s Dolphins after completing a tenth full season of service to the club at which he has won four Grand Finals.
Fellow Saints academy graduate Wingfield has 56 club appearances to his name, and would likely have enjoyed many more if not for an injury-afflicted few seasons.
He was limited to only ten appearances in 2023 and nine in 2024 after playing 20 times when St Helens last won Super League, in 2022.
While off-contract at the end of this season, head coach Paul Wellens has indicated the club will ensure Wingfield stays and plays an important future role.
Wingfield has looked up to Knowles throughout his nascent career and would love to make the step up as Saints’ top loose-forward.
“That’s the goal for me and the only way I do that is showing what I can do this year on the pitch,” said Wingfield, who spent part of his development with Parramatta Eels.
“Morgan is in my eyes the best 13 in the competition.
“I’ve come through the ranks and Morgan has been there the whole time so I’ve modelled myself on Morgan.
“As long as you get that balance where you use your skill but also play tough as well, that’s what I’m looking for.”
Wingfield hasn’t played since the beginning of April due to a head injury, returning at Magic Weekend only as 18th man as Saints lost to Leeds Rhinos.
That was a fifth defeat from ten to open their season and Wingfield admits the side have not been good enough.
He said: “In one word, it’s been inconsistent. We’ve had a few good results but we’ve lost some big games which, in our eyes as a club, is unacceptable.
“You’ve seen the success we’ve had in past years. We’ve won those big games and we pride ourselves on winning big games.
“That’s not been the case recently so we need to fix things and fix them quick.
“There are standards we set ourselves and we need to uphold those standards and get back to where we should be.
“I don’t think we’re far off. The effort is there and we are committed to each other.
“It’s the small details that we need to fix up, and that will go a long way to winning big games. It’s as simple as keeping the ball, that’s individual concentration.
“(Assistant coach) Lee Briers has come in and wanted us to play a more expansive, exciting type of rugby, which we’re all trying to buy into.
“But we can’t give ourselves those opportunities if we’re not completing sets well. That’s what we need to focus on.”
