Kristian Woolf rues 50/50 calls in World Club Challenge loss

James Messenger 23 Feb 2020 1:31 PM

St Helens boss Kristian Woolf has rued the 50/50 calls that went against his side in their World Club Challenge defeat to Sydney.

Saints had two tries chalked off either side of half-time with the scoreline at 8-6 to the Roosters.

Tommy Makinson’s first-half effort was ruled out for a forward pass in the build-up, before he was adjudged to have been held just short after the half-time break.

Joseph Manu and Luke Keary then crossed in the final quarter, before the hosts added a consolation two minutes from time through Alex Walmsley, finishing the scoring at 20-12.

Despite the Roosters being crowned World Champions for a second successive year, Woolf insists he cannot fault the effort of his side after his young side went toe-to-toe with the 2019 NRL winners.

He said: “I’m very proud of the effort. We created plenty of opportunities and did a really good job defensively but didn’t quite make the most of our opportunities.

“We had two tries disallowed either side of half-time – both were 50-50 calls – and there were a couple of other opportunities.

“We just had to ice one of those to start to put pressure on the opposition and it looks a different game.

“Our blokes ripped into the best pack in the world. We had some young guys out there and they should take a lot out of the game.

“It was an even contest and it could have gone either way.

“In the end they win, so they’re still the best team in the world, but I think we beat most teams tonight, that’s for sure.”

Following his first experience of the World Club Challenge, Woolf also said that the showpiece event between two of the world’s best sides is definitely worth of a prominent spot in the rugby league diary.

The Saints boss commented: “Everyone has commented on the atmosphere and how tough a game it was.

“It’s something the NRL should get behind as well, it’s deserving of a rightful spot on the rugby league calendar.”