Saints boss Kristian Woolf to confirm position “in near future”

St Helens head coach Kristian Woolf has shrugged off fresh reports linking him with a move to the NRL, insisting he will clarify his situation “in the near future”.

The back-to-back Grand Final winner is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with Wests Tigers who sacked former Wigan boss Michael Maguire this season.

Tigers forward Joe Ofahengaue threw his weight behind a move for Woolf this week, with the Tonga international saying “It would be cool to be coached” by his international coach, adding “he’s a superstar.”

Kristian Woolf, who will lead Tonga at this year’s World Cup, has also been linked with New Zealand Warriors and an assistant coach role to Wayne Bennett at new NRL club The Dolphins.

Deja vu

The St Helens boss was asked by Love Rugby League about fresh reports linking him with a move away from the Super League champions.

“I’m very bored of it!” he said in this week’s press briefing ahead of the big derby with Wigan at the Magic Weekend in Newcastle on Saturday.

“No, I’m joking. But as I have said before it is not something I am interested in talking about.

“Remember I was sitting here this time last year answering the same questions so, when the time is right I will make sure I come out and make sure everyone knows what is going on.

“We will sort that out in the near future.”

When pushed on a timescale for making and announcing his decision, Woolf replied that an announcement would be made “when I know what I am doing”.

New Zealand Warriors say they are close to appointing a successor to Nathan Brown, who left his role on the same day that Maguire left the Tigers, with Woolf having denied an interest in the job.

Saints are looking to avenge their Challenge Cup final semi-final defeat to Wigan at Magic Weekend.

They will also be looking to bounce back from last week’s defeat in France to Catalans Dragons.

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