Mount Isa-born Kristian Woolf is making a big impact at the rugby league world cup after the 42-year-old Townsville Blackhawks coach was drafted in to coach Tonga at the World Cup.
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Tonga stunned the rugby league world by going through their pool undefeated, capping off their campaign with its thrilling 28-22 win over New Zealand.
That result put them through to the quarter finals of the tournament on Friday where they take on Lebanon.
Speaking after their win against the Kiwis, Woolf thought they could win the competition.
“I won’t sit here and say no we can’t (win the World Cup),” Woolf said.
“We have beaten a tier-one nation but Australia is a whole different beast. They have won so many internationals because of the way they play and the way they suffocate you.”
Kristian is the son of Rod Woolf who when he died in 2014 was remembered as a “selfless swimming coach”.
Kristian played for the Souths Magpies in Brisbane between 1996 and 1997 before becoming Townsville Brothers assistant coach in 2002.
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
