He knows just what it’s like to be part of Salford’s motley crew but St Helens’ Joey Lussick won’t be fooled by them now.
The Aussie hooker hopes to end the Red Devils’ Super League dream in Saturday’s semi-final. Unfashionable Salford caused a stir when reaching the 2019 Grand Final where they were eventually unpicked by a Saints side on the start of their three-peat glory. Lussick was on the bench for the underdogs then but is now part of the champions’ squad after joining from Parramatta this term.
He recalled: “After that Grand Final defeat, the boys went straight down back into the tunnel. But I actually stayed back on the field and I watched the Saints boys for a couple of minutes, lifting that trophy, saying that I wish it was me. I'm very fortunate to be here at a great club now.
“The boys are really excited. It's a real funny one, coming up against Salford. They've been phenomenal at times, just like Wigan and Leeds, and all four teams in these semis are going to be eyeing that Grand Final spot.”
Salford finished second bottom last term but soared into the play-offs in sixth with their enterprising play and blasted Huddersfield out last weekend. Unlike some, Lussick certainly isn’t “surprised” by their revival while Saints have problems with gutted England prop Alex Walmsley yesterday ruled out of the rest of the season and the World Cup with a foot injury.
Lussick, 26, said: “Salford have deserved their place in the finals; they've got some great strike players. Any team is capable on their day of beating any other. And it doesn't matter how you've gone over the course of the year, the real end of the story is that you're here now, one game off Old Trafford.
“We've had a few disruptions with injuries and suspensions but the last month we've been trying to build on combinations as a team. It's the nitty gritty end of the year now and there's a good excitement among the group. Injuries are a part of our game. You can sit and sulk and say you wish you had certain players available, but we're focusing on the players who are.”
Those could include England centre Mark Percival who hopes to make his first appearance since May while Sione Mata’utia and Will Hopoate are also in the frame for returns. Meanwhile, Lussick is likely to have to play a bench role for Saints again next year after legendary captain James Roby, the 36-year-old former England hooker, opted against retiring and doing another season in 2023. But Lussick insisted: "It's pretty funny to be around Robes.
"People think he's that phenomenal machine who doesn't stop but he's a relaxed, down to Earth bloke. He's a very intelligent player, he leads by his actions and that's something I've got to take in. One thing Woolfy said to me is don't look at the skill side of him, look at what he does that makes him the best. He's still one of the fittest in the competition and it's been great to be around him."
