St Helens owe it to Kristian Woolf to finish season on high says captain James Roby
St Helens captain James Roby says the club owes it to departing head coach Kristian Woolf to finish the season with another Super League trophy.
Woolf, 47, will leave the Super League side at the conclusion of the current campaign. He will link up with the Dolphins for their inaugural season in the NRL as assistant coach under Wayne Bennett.
He will of course remain in England on international duties with Tonga for the World Cup.
St Helens face Salford in the second of the semi-finals and will have extra motivation to reach Old Trafford in Woolf’s last season in charge.
Roby says the players are determined to finish the year with another Super League trophy and their fourth successive triumph.
James Roby: ‘He’s done an amazing job with us’
“With the impact that Kristian has had with us and the success we’ve had, I think we owe it to him to do our utmost to send him out on a high,” said Roby.
“He’s done an amazing job with us and it’s sad to see him go but we understand why.”
The reigning champions were dealt a major blow earlier this week. England forward Alex Walmsley will watch from the sidelines with a foot injury. He is also set to miss the World Cup later in autumn. Back-up front-rower Dan Norman has also been ruled out of Saturday’s clash due to a fractured cheekbone.
Centre Mark Percival is set to make a welcomed return to Woolf’s side alongside Sione Mata’utia and Will Hopoate.
Meanwhile, Salford boss Paul Rowley says his side are remaining relaxed ahead of their knock out game at the Totally Wicked Stadium. They have lost all 11 matches so far at the ground, and were beaten in their last 15 visits to the old Knowsley road.
“That sort of stat is not something we’ll be discussing as a group,” said coach Rowley.
“It’s 13 versus 13 on the day. We’re just a chilled group of lads. Best mates who are going to rock up and play a game of rugby. It gets no more complicated than that.
“We have respect for them and I’m sure they have respect for us.”
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