JACK'S A GIANT
ENGLAND wonder-kid Jack Welsby has only just begun in his quest to take the World Cup by storm.
That is the prediction of Kristian Woolf, who leads England’s potential semi-final opponents Tonga into their opening group game tonight.
Welsby was sensational in England’s 60-6 win against prematch favourites Samoa on Saturday, and Woolf said: “What he did the other night is just a glimpse of what he can do. He is an exceptional player.”
SomeWorld Cup pundits were surprised by the ease with which Welsby strutted his stuff on the global stage.
But the 21-year-old half-back is no stranger to Super League success, winning three titles under Woolf, as well as the Challenge Cup. Woolf said: “Anyone who was surprised has not watched him every week for Saints. He has that class about him every week.
“He is an outstanding young man to be involved with. He is a casual sort of bloke, but he competes really hard and backs himself.”
Tonga famously beat Great Britain and world champions Australia in two weeks, three years ago, to earn a national holiday for their country.
The Pacific Island nation were also close to beating England in the 2017 World Cup semi-final, losing 20-18 in a controversial finish.
This time they are tipped by many to go even further and Woolf insists he is happy with those expectations.
The Aussie, who has quit Saints to return to the NRL, said: “We can do whatever we want to do. We have got a really high quality group and I’m extremely confident in what we’ve put together.”
Tonga open their campaign against Papua New Guinea in St Helens tonight, but Woolf admits he is keeping an eye on how England do.
He added: “I was surprised at the scoreline against Samoa but not at the performance. For whatever reason, people understated England a little bit. But when you work here and you know how hard these players work, then that performance was not a surprise at all.” Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Tonga captain in place of the suspended Jason Taumalolo, added: ‘Hopefully, we can create history.” ❑FRANCE launched their campaign with a 34-12 win against Greece, with Arthur Mourgue grabbing 18 points.