St Helens head coach Kristian Woolf plays down NRL links

St Helens head coach Kristian Woolf has played down speculation linking him to the NRL.

New Zealand Warriors and Wests Tigers are both on the hunt for new permanent head coaches following their departures on the same day.

Nathan Brown left the Warriors and Michael Maguire departed Wests Tigers earlier this week.

Woolf, 46, has been linked with a move to the Warriors. Kiwi legend Stacey Jones has taken over the coaching reins at the club following the departure of former Huddersfield and St Helens boss Brown. 

However, Woolf says that his commitment and attention remains with St Helens and Super League.

“I don’t pay a lot of attention to it (speculation),” Woolf said when asked about his links to the NRL.

“I’ve said before, I’m not interested in paying attention to it or talking about it either. I’m interested in what we’re doing here at Saints and the opportunity we’ve got here and I think we can do something really special.

“That’s where my commitment and my energy lies.”

St Helens contract news

The club have recently confirmed the re-signings of Matty Lees, Jack Welsby, Sione Ma’atuia and Agnatius Paasi.

However, 21-year-old Josh Simm has been linked with an exit from Totally Wicked Stadium. The youngster is set to leave the club at the end of the season according to reports, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.

“I’m not sure, to be honest,” Woolf said on Simm.

“I know that he’s off-contract with us this year. Where he’s at with his negotiations if they’re elsewhere, I’m not sure.

“It’ll be a discussion I’ll have at some stage in the near-future.”

Konrad Hurrell, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Regan Grace are also without contracts beyond the current season. However, Woolf admits that talks are ongoing with Wales international Grace to retain the 25-year-old. 

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