In his short career so far, reigning Young Player of the Year Harry Robertson has set Super League alight and those around him are expecting that to go up a notch in 2026 for St Helens.
I mean, who can forget his sensational footwork during one of Super League’s greatest ever moments as he ripped apart Leeds Rhinos before Shane Wright went over in the dying seconds of the play-off contest in a now historic try dubbed ‘Left to Wright’?
Robertson, in that moment, was simply a level above and categorically was the player that drew in so many Rhinos defenders to give the space for his teammates to send the ball wide to go over.
That, among many other moments, led to him being crowned Super League’s Young Player of the Year and with another pre-season at centre under his belt, those who have seen him in action have claimed his rugby to be simply ‘freakish’ (in the best way).
While he understands that he now plays an integral role at Saints, and did in one of their most special tries in their history, he is quick to give others credit for their involvement too.
“Obviously, I had my part in that, but it was other moments of brilliance,” Robertson told Sky Sports.
“Tristan’s (Sailor) pass, Matt Whitley doesn’t get a lot of credit but he found two passes under pressure and for his position, that’s not something you demand of them.
“Then obviously, for (Shane) Wrighty to finish it in the corner, it was a team effort and everyone played their part. It was really special.”
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St Helens’ Shane Wright sums up what it was like to score the winning try in their play-off against Leeds.
Robertson may cut a laidback figure but it is clear that slightly under the surface he is an ultra-competitive professional, even at just 20 years of age, and that becomes evident when you ask him about his incredible achievements in 2025. He not only wants to match them, he wants to better them.
“Hopefully more of the same. I am still eligible to win Young Player of the Year again, so that’s a goal,” he added.
“Hopefully we do better as a team this year as well.
“I enjoy it (at centre). This is obviously my second year as a centre and my second pre-season.
“I feel like that might be why I am having a bit more success and getting used to the position, especially the way that we are playing. I am getting a lot more ball.”
Silverware is an expectation, not an option
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Highlights of Penrith Panthers up against St Helens in the World Club Challenge.
While one of Super League’s gigantic clubs, St Helens have not picked up a trophy since 2023 when they won the World Club Challenge against Penrith Panthers on the NRL side’s home turf with a dramatic drop goal in golden point extra time.
That moment goes down as Robertson’s favourite Super League moment in the competition’s 30-year history but knows his side now have to bring trophies back to the club, with anything less simply not an option.
Indeed, St Helens parted ways with Paul Wellens following the conclusion of the 2025 season and have since appointed former Salford boss Paul Rowley to the top job.
Rowley is renowned for his free-flowing attacking style of rugby and Robertson hopes if they can get that style right under the pressure of expectation, they can get back to the top of Super League.
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St Helens beat Penrith Panthers to win the World Club Challenge in dramatic fashion with an extra-time golden point winning dropgoal!
“It has been really good, it has freshened up a lot of the squad,” Robertson said.
“I think we needed it, especially Rowls with his new play style, I think everyone knows what his play style is. He likes to throw the ball around.
“We are not going to go away from how we defend and our identity in that, but with the new attack, it’s looking interesting.
“I feel like every year you play for Saints, semi-finals aren’t good enough. Even getting to the Grand Finals that probably is not good enough. You want to win it.
“We have not done too well in the past couple of years and we need those trophies.
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St Helens captain James Roby analyses the incredible try that helped them beat Penrith Panthers to win the World Club Challenge.
“Obviously this year, the same as every year, we want to go out and win everything- League Leaders, Grand Final, Challenge Cup, we want to win everything.
“I think he (Rowley) knows what he has got to improve. Maybe he has gone to other clubs in the past and he’s got to improve all around, but he’s really honed in on the stuff that we really need to improve as a team.
“Silverware is what you play the game for at the end of the day. The only reason I play is to win a Grand Final or a Challenge Cup.
“It is something I have not yet experienced, so it will be pretty special and I hope it happens.
“When Saints won the World Cup Challenge, I was watching that, I think I was maybe 16. Obviously, I wasn’t too far away at that point.
“I knew some of the lads, I would meet and train with them every now and again.
“It was a really special moment for all of them, and that sort of fuelled me. I wanted a bit of that.
“So how they celebrated and what it meant to them, that’s a moment to dream of in sport and any sport.”
World Cup in his sights? That is a goal!
If Robertson continues on the trajectory he is currently on, there is no limit to what he can achieve in the game.
While he prefers to not look too far in the future, the youngster did admit that he has his sights set on getting a seat on the plane when England head Down Under later this year for the Rugby League World Cup 2026.
“I don’t really look that far ahead but I do want to be playing for my country, that is the big goal of mine.
“I want to play for my country and I just to be one of the best in the Super League- that is in any position, I don’t really care where I play, I just want to be the best at the end of the day
“I think playing for England is the pinnacle of the game, especially watching the Ashes recently gone, I feel like we didn’t showcase what we can do as a country.
“That is nothing against the lads that played, I just feel like we can be number one in the world, and that’s something that we have had a part to play in and I love it
“Hopefully, the World Cup is what I am aiming for, but I’m still young, I think I have got a few years left yet.”
Sky Sports will again show every game of the Super League live this season – including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining five matches each week shown on Sky Sports+
