Well done Wello. You are still a star and you have made a saddened man very happy.

Quality player and nice bloke, good luck for the future.

Remarkable man is Wello, brave as they come on the pitch and a gentleman off it. Those glorious years when he became part of the dynasty playing at the top of his game from 2002 to 2008, he didn,t need electric pace always broke the first tackle and arrived on time to stop what looked like a certain try.

Hope they give him a honourable send off on the home pitch in one of the latter games……….…..he deserves a standing ovation for his loyalty and servitude.

great player always gave his all,good luck paul in whatever you do

all the best for the future from a Rhino's fan. Met him at the 2013 World Cup,what a nice,friendly lad he is .

Just to add to what so many have said on here. Wellens has been a superb ambassador for Saints and a fantastic clubman. All any speccie can ask is that a player gives 100% when he takes to the field. Wellens did that for Saints, a true professional in every respect. Good luck to him in whatever the future holds.

Fantastic player for you guys. All the best wello for the future. From a Wigan Warriors fan

He has been a tremendous player for Saints and a real credit to the game. Has always commanded the greatest of respect over at Headingley as the tributes being posted now on Southstander clearly show.

I would like to add my voice to the congratulations to Wello on a fantastic career, a true professional and proper Club man, from a Reds Fan.

A think a lot of fans (regardless of their loyalties) empathized with Wellens when he fell to his knees after the final whistle at Old Trafford. And I wasn't the only person who found his actions moving.

For a brief moment the shutters rolled back and you could see right into the heart of his soul. His face was that of a man scarred not by physical injury but the mental anguish of so many heartbreaking defeats. When he looks to the sky almost in supplication you sense that a terrible burden had been lifted from his shoulders. The thick lines and crevasses cut deep into his face by age seem to evaporate and in that split second you see the familiar boyish features of the Paul Wellens who won his first Grand Final so many years ago.

People love to talk about skills and talent and artistry - and yes, those things are important. But before all of that fans want players who CARE AS MUCH ABOUT THE CLUB AS THEY DO. It's a purity which no amount of money can buy and it isn't for sale anyhow.

Cathartic moments such as these involving a shared spiritual and emotional state are rare in the game. But their effect on fans is enormous. This is why stories about players like Paul Wellens, Jamie Peacock, James Graham, Sean Edwards etc. etc. will live on for generations whilst the exploits of perhaps more gifted individuals are lost forever in the chaotic maelstrom of time.

Sky just paid him great respect on boots n all.

I think all those players you mention have/had one thing in common. They hated losing more than they enjoyed winning.

Paul Wellens has been an absolutely fantastic player throughout his career at both Saints,GB and England

Without sounding or meaning to be disrespectful he was without a doubt the most dependable full back that SL has ever produced

He always seemed to play the game so effortlessly,but this was down to his outstanding ability to read the game in both attack and defense,He always seemed to be in the right position when it mattered

The only part of his game that was sadly missing was that extra yard of pace and if he had possessed this he would have been on a par with Billy Slater IMO

I sincerely wish him all the very best in his new coaching venture at the Saints

Respect Wello,You certainly deserve it

I hope he enjoys the retirement. In the end he has pushed his body to the limit, and probably beyond.

He has in some sense lived the dream, to play for your home town club and to reach the pinnacle of the game too at the same club. He's was a great lad, as a lad and it's has been a pleasure to see someone you knew as a youngster, go on to do what most of us only dream of as young kids.

All the best for the future Paul.

Jp's thoughts regarding Wello www.therhinos.co.uk/matchdaytv/? ... a&id=21244

Jp's thoughts regarding Wello www.therhinos.co.uk/matchdaytv/? ... a&id=21244