Tonga boss Kristian Woolf wants Test against St Helens’ Jonny Lomax
KRISTIAN Woolf hopes to face the ‘best he has ever worked with’ if Jonny Lomax makes England’s Test series against Tonga.
The former St Helens chief will lead the Pacific nation – now a rugby league powerhouse – in a history-making three encounters in the Autumn.
And he would love nothing more than testing himself against the man he believes is the standout, if national boss Shaun Wane picks him.
Woolf said: “I’d like to see Jonny play. I had three great years working with him. The Saints guys are a great group but Jonny’s at the forefront of that.
“There aren’t many players I’ve worked with that work harder than Jonny. He’s had massive things to get over in his career – including a brain injury – but he’s got through all that and plays at the level he does.
“I’d go as far as saying I’ve never worked with a player who prepares as well as he does. You see in his performances it means something to him and playing for St Helens means something to him.
“And I know if Jonny puts his hand up, he’ll be a very influential player.”
Woolf and Tonga stepped up after New Zealand’s series fell through, meaning it is the first time a Pacific nation will play a full tour against England.
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The island reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2017 and defeated Great Britain and Australia in 2019 Tests – but they under-performed in last year’s tournament.
It can also help the development of the international game after he consulted former England boss, now his senior at NRL side Dolphins, Wayne Bennett.
He added: “We were disappointed last year. We had a more talented squad than in 2019 but we didn’t reach our potential. We want to make amends.
“The vast majority of players were very keen to get over to the UK and this is a really exciting opportunity. It’s a bit of a ‘grow up’ moment for us.
“Hopefully, it rekindles that feeling for Test rugby. The fact we play three Tests, rather than just one, only adds to the excitement.
“When we were tossing up the idea, I spoke to Wayne and he was extremely supportive.
“He saw the positives and the strengths in terms of what it does for Tonga and international rugby league. He thought it was the way we should go.”