Kristian Woolf has been contemplating whether he will stay on as the Tonga head coach ahead of the Rugby League World Cup, and he has now come to a decision.
Woolf, a former St Helens boss who won three Super League titles whilst in charge, took charge of the pacific nation in 2014, but has since turned them into one of the sport’s powerhouse countries, and they now have more chance than ever of winning a World Cup.
In his time as boss of the Mate Ma’a, he has won 11 of 26 Test Matches, and with key figures like Jason Taumalolo and Isaiya Katoa in his team, will hope to be victorious over England in their opening game of this year’s tournament – a game that is expected to be the decider of who makes the semi-finals, given the was this year’s competition is formatted.
Woolf has now made his decision, and he will stay on as head coach of the country, meaning he will lead them into a third World Cup.
The Ex-Saint was weighing up his options, and with NRL side The Dolphins his main focus as it stands, he didn’t know if he had enough time to comfortably oversee both. The Dolphins are on track for their first-ever finals appearance, and are currently fourth in the NRL ladder with three games left to play.
However, speaking to the Courier Mail recently, Woolf has revealed he will again be combining both roles.
“I was a bit unsure at different times, but I think I’m going on yes,” Woolf said.
“There’s no doubt the other nations are going to put really strong sides together, and I’m confident in the group that we’re going to put together.
“Obviously Australia and New Zealand are always strong, but this is going to be a very competitive World Cup.”
In the last World Cup, held in England, Tonga were knocked out at the quarter-finals stage, whilst in 2017, England beat them to progress through to the World Cup Final.
