06 May 2023 , 16:00
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Super coach Wayne Bennett has given a “ringing endorsement” to Tonga’s ground-breaking trip to England.
The rising international power becomes the first Pacific nation to feature in a full three Test series against England when they head over this autumn. Tonga boss Kristian Woolf can’t wait to start “making amends” for last year’s World Cup letdown here when Samoa dumped them out of the quarter-finals. After leaving St Helens in October, he is now assistant at NRL newboys Dolphins where the legendary Bennett, 73, is head coach.
Fellow Aussie Bennett, a firm internationalist who has coached the Kangaroos, England and Great Britain, chalked up his 900th Premiership game earlier today. And Woolf said the iconic ex-Queensland State of Origin chief - England coach when defeating Tonga in an epic 2017 World Cup semi-final - was delighted the historic tour had got the green light. He said: “When we were tossing up the idea of accepting an invitation to come over and play a three game series, Wayne was a bloke who I spoke to.
“He was extremely supportive. He’s seen the real positives and strengths of what it does for Tonga and international rugby league. He’s extremely supportive of it and certainly thought it was the way we should go. It was great to have that endorsement.”
And will Woolf be looking for any suggestions or insider knowledge from Bennett about how to get one over England? He said: “We haven’t spoken about that in terms of playing and tips. But he’s a guy I sit beside at work. I certainly run plenty of things by him and can lean on him for his thoughts and experiences. He’s the most successful coach of this most recent era and there’s always plenty to learn off blokes like Wayne. He’s a great ability in the messages he delivers. He is always on point with that.
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“He’s a great ability to keep players and staff accountable and really hold them to task. He drives a high standard and you can see why he’s had the success he’s had and why he’s so revered as a coach. I’m really enjoying working with him and learning little things every day.”
Tonga boss Kristian Woolf (PA) (PA)But Woolf, who won three Super League titles with Saints, is keen to sort unfinished business on the international front. His Tonga side famously defeated world champions Australia and Bennett’s Lions in 2019 only to falter at the World Cup. Woolf, 47, said: “The squad we had was probably more talented than 2019 so that makes it even more disappointing. We didn’t play to our potential.
“The vast majority of players were very keen to get back over to the UK. It's a really exciting opportunity. And a bit of a ‘grow up’ moment for us. It’s also good it’s not a one-off, flash-in-the-pan game: three Tests over three weeks give us a really good chance to build a rivalry (with England), find out things about one another and all that adds to the excitement. Hopefully, it rekindles that feeling for Test rugby.”