‘We’ll figure it out’: Woolf unsure on Tonga future but believes nation will ‘only get better’
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf has revealed he’s yet to decide if he’ll continue on as Tonga coach next year but stressed the Pacific nation is in good stead regardless.
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Speaking following Tonga’s 20-14 loss to Australia in the 2024 Pacific Championships finals, Woolf, who takes over from Wayne Bennett as the Dolphins’ head coach next season, indicated he’ll “figure out in due time” whether he’ll be able to manage both roles.
“The first people I talk to will be the bloke beside me (Jason Taumalolo) – he’s been here with me since my first involvement in 2013. Him and Addin (Fonua-Blake) will be the first two I’ll speak to,” he said.
“We’ll figure that out.”
Despite the uncertainty about his future in the role, Woolf believes the current crop of Tongan players is good enough to thrive long after his coaching tenure ends, including at the 2026 World Cup.
“We’re only going to get better,” he insisted, citing the nation’s young core coming through at the same time, which includes Isaiya Katoa (20), Lehi Hopoate (19), Paul Alamoti (20), Eliesa Katoa (24), Haumole Olakau’atu (26) and Siua Wong (21).
Add Tolutau Koula (22), Kulikefu Finefeuaki (20), Isaiah Iongi (21) and Keaon Koloamatangi (26) into the mix and it’s easy to see why Woolf remains optimistic about the future of Tongan rugby league.
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“They’re all only going to get better and they’re going to get better together,” he stressed.
His sentiment was shared by Taumalolo, who believes his teammates could achieve the improbable at the next World Cup if their current development continues.
“A lot of these players are only going to get better. They’re still only young, in two years from now they’re going to put themselves in a good position to win the World Cup,” he said.
The Cowboys veteran, whose decision to represent Tonga at the 2017 World Cup altered the nation’s trajectory, was full of praise for his international coach.
“I don’t think people realise the work that’s happened behind closed doors that Kristian’s gone through,” Taumalolo said.
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“He’s had a few tough years having to deal with some things that were not in our control. We’re only seeing the results of his hard work now.
“Whether Kristian continues or not that’s not our decision. That’s not what we’re worried about. The team we have now they’re only going to get better.”
The 31-year-old added that Tonga “have the right guy at the helm.”
Despite the narrow loss, Woolf was incredibly proud of his side’s efforts throughout the Pacific Championships final stating: “I thought our effort was outstanding and that’s all I can ask for. They never stopped trying. They never stopped fighting.”
“What 2017 taught us is that we could beat the number one teams. We did that against NZ and since then we’ve carried a lot of belief that we can continue to do that,” he said.
“We played with a lot of that belief tonight. I never once doubted us. I hoped these players didn’t doubt themselves.”