Ex-St Helens boss explains decision to take backwards step as he follows the footsteps of former Wakefield Trinity man
Tonga v Cook Islands: Rugby League World Cup Tonga Head Coach Kristian Woolf during the after match press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup Pool D match between Tonga and Cook Islands at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough on Sunday 30th October 2022. Middlesbrough North Yorkshire United Kingdom PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xMIxNewsx originalFilename:fletcher-tongavsc221030_npvno.jpg
Kristian Woolf is one of the best Head Coaches in Super League history.
In October he became the first coach ever to win three Super League Grand Finals in a row as he led St Helens to a record smashing fourth consecutive Grand Final win.
He also claimed the League Leaders’ Shield in 2022 having ended St Helens’ 13-year wait to win the Challenge Cup in 2021 as they defeated Castleford Tigers at Wembley on the road to the first double since 2015.
Now though he is taking a step back to be an assistant coach in the NRL with new club The Dolphins who are led by former England and Great Britain boss Wayne Bennett.
However, Woolf is set to follow in the footsteps of former Wakefield Trinity man Jason Demetriou who started out as an assistant at Souths only to take the reigns following Bennett’s departure at the end of 2021.
Speaking to the Canberra Times, Woolf explained his decision to be an assistant under Bennett for the foreseeable:
“I have always wanted to be patient,” he said.
“If we (coaches) work hard and are in good systems and do a good job we are going to get an opportunity at some stage.
“It is important when you get the opportunity to make it work.
“Wayne does do things different to everyone else and that is part of the reason he has had so much success.
“Hopefully that helps me when I do get the opportunity to be able to stay a bit longer (as head coach), and also make it a success.”