St Helens centre Konrad Hurrell has claimed that teams try harder when they play the Saints than against other Super League teams.
Hurrell suggested that St Helens have become a target for opposition teams as they look for the scalp of beating the best team in the world.
Saints were crowned world champions in February after beating Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge.
Hurrell told Merseysportlive: “They already won [the Grand Final] three years in a row and then I came in last year to try and get four years in a row and literally every game was a tough game.
“Every team we play it’s like a Grand Final for them. Playing Wakefield, we beat them by one point. We got beat by Toulouse last year.
“It’s just hard for us but I think that’s why this club has been good, in the big moments the St Helens boys are up for it.”
Five in a row for St Helens
Hurrell admitted that his side could find it difficult to stay motivated due to their recent success but said that the possibility of winning five Grand Finals in a row was pushing them to keep going.
“Every team, their goal is to win. That’s what we’re aiming for, to win five in a row,” he said.
“Like I said, a lot of players in this team have won everything but this year they’re going to turn around and say ‘stuff you, we’re going to win it again’.
“We made history last year but it’s better to do it again this year. Five in a row, it will be hard to beat that.
“It would be good to be in a team that says this record will never be broken.”
St Helens have won their last two league games having lost two of their opening three matches as they look to make Super League history.
All about the team
Hurrell praised the talent and work rate of his teammates and picked out winger Tommy Makinson as being key to the Saints’ chances of retaining their title.
“We’ve got a lot of strong players that I need to get the ball to, it’s not just me, I’ve got to give the ball to my winger Tommy Makinson.
“He was in the top three highest try scorers last year so I’ve got to give him the ball because he’s a better rugby player than me!”
St Helens host Wakefield Trinity at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Friday as they bid to stretch their winning league run to three games.
Hurrell is expected to play having made his return from suspension during Saints’ win at Huddersfield Giants last week.
The centre missed games against Leigh Leopards and Hull FC after being sent off for a late tackle on Richie Myler during the loss to Leeds Rhinos.
(Featured picture under licence agreement with Alamy Images)
