WORLD AT WAR
But Woolf won’t blame NRL if Cup is cancelled
KRISTIAN WOOLF has urged fans not to direct their anger at the NRL if this year’s World Cup fails to go ahead.
Australia and New Zealand are understood to be driving calls to postpone the tournament, based in England.
And World Cup bosses are expected to confirm a year’s delay tomorrow, wreaking chaos on an event which was due to start in just over 100 days.
But St Helens boss Woolf, who is coach of 2017 World Cup semi-finalists Tonga, said it is important not to start the blame game.
He said: “I think everyone needs to look at the picture as a whole. I would say it is unfair to put it all on Australia or New Zealand.
“There is some hesitancy from NRL players and from NRL clubs and I can certainly understand that.
“There is also hesitancy from countries with zero cases of Covid and how that might impact with players going back to those countries.”
Many NRL players are wary of travelling to England – where they would have to live in bubbles for over a month – because of rising Covid cases.
NRL clubs have also been vocal in objections, claiming quarantine periods when players return Down Under will impact on their next season.
It is a regular gripe that the NRL sees itself as more important than the international game but Woolf added: “There are a whole lot of complexities to it.
“When players and clubs present hesitation, it is not a selfish point of view whatsoever.”
Woolf claims Tonga players want the tournament to go ahead in October, saying: “They would have no dramas.
“I know what playing for Tonga means to them. If they had to make some sacrifices it would not worry our players one bit.
“A month ago I would have thought there was enough positivity that the World Cup was going to go ahead.
“But looking at what has happened, it puts it in a really difficult position.”
TOMORROW’S Super League game between Castleford and St Helens has been cancelled, with Saints awarded a 24-0 victory. The Tigers are unable to field a 17-man squad due to a lengthy injury list and positive Covid tests.