Coach Kristian Woolf

Woolf returns to work

Then again Woolf was never hanging by the phone.

Woolf arrived back at work with the Blackhawks last week, just days after visiting Tonga with the rest of his Mate Ma’a squad and receiving a hero’s welcome from the Island kingdom’s fanatical supporters, including its royal family.

Tonga’s inspired run to the semi-finals, which included knocking over 2008 world champions New Zealand, was the story of this year’s World Cup, as were Tonga’s unified and passionate supporters.