Wayne Bennett wants Woolf and Burgess with him at Dolphins
Wayne Bennett has confirmed that he wants to have St Helens boss Kristian Woolf and England legend Sam Burgess on his coaching staff at the Dolphins.
The Dolphins are preparing for their inaugural season in the NRL next season. They have already got more than 20 players on board for 2023.
And Bennett says getting Woolf and Burgess on his coaching staff is a high priority.
“They are high on my list of priorities,” Bennett told James Graham’s The Bye Round Podcast.
“I’ve got great raps on Kristian, I think he’s done a great job.
“I’ve got a huge amount of admiration for Sam Burgess. He is a wonderful guy and I’d love to have him here. I’m not sure if that would come into fruition but that’s the plan.”
Woolf, who is also the Tonga national coach, is out of contract with St Helens at the end of the season and has long been linked with a return Down Under.
The Australian won two Super League titles and a Challenge Cup since moving to St Helens ahead of the 2020 season.
Meanwhile, Burgess is weighing up his options for 2023, with the Dolphins and his beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs reported to be keen on bringing him in as a coach.
Woolf addresses speculation linking him to the Dolphins
It was reported in Australia early last week that Woolf had been offered a four-year deal by the Dolphins, with the first two years being Bennett’s assistant.
But speaking to the English press on Wednesday, Woolf insisted that those reports “weren’t correct at the moment”.
Speaking last Wednesday, Woolf said: “There’s no update, I’m sorry.
“Nothing’s changed there at all from my situation. It’s the same as when I was asked last week and the week before.
“My situation hasn’t changed at all, so any reports saying things are confirmed are not correct at the moment.
“When I know what I’m doing, and that certainly needs (resolving) in the near future, certainly in the next couple of weeks. But when I know what I’m doing I’ll certainly comment on that a little bit more.”
Woolf guided champions St Helens to a 13-12 golden point win over Wakefield on Sunday afternoon.
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