Kristian Woolf

Woolf released a statement on the reasons for Bennett joining his coaching staff.

 “My commitment to St Helens and the inability of the representative and international weeks to line up in the two hemispheres means it is not possible to be in New Zealand for a week during the Super League season,” said Woolf.

“But we have been able to put together an amazing coaching staff with Dean [Dean Young], Wayne and Sika [Sika Manu].

The St Helens coach had previously expressed his desire to carry on performing his international duties.

However, the caveat to that was that it would not intrude on his work with Saints, which he insisted was his main priority,

Woolf echoed that sentiment when questioned on the matter, but confirmed that he believes he can do both jobs moving forward.

“I’ve spoken at length with St Helens about that and they’ve been very supportive about me continuing with Tonga,” he said.

Woolf was sacked amid accusations from the current TNRL board that he misused team funds in a bank account.

His dismissal prompted the team’s senior players including Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita to threaten to boycott end-of-season games.

“There has been some really poor allegations made suggesting that there is something going on financially,” Woolf told Tagata Pasifika.

“I think to understand why that is a ridiculous comment is you got to understand that before anyone can access any money from an account, it needs board approval in writing.”

TNRL Secretary and former international William Edwards said the board was moving forward with preparations for Tonga's October tests against Great Britain and Australia without him.

Edwards said Woolf was set to be offered a contract, before a sudden and public spat which led to his dismissal.

The prominent lawyer said the problems became to be apparent when a group of players wrote a letter of concern to the International Federation, the NRL, the government and other stakeholders in August.

The 44-year-old has spent the past five years in charge of Tonga, leading them to a World Cup semi-final in 2017.

He had been working as assistant to ex-Saints boss Nathan Brown at NRL side Newcastle Knights and became interim head coach when Brown left in August.

Woolf has signed a two-year deal with Super League leaders Saints, with a further 12-month option.

"I'm confident we can achieve great things together," Woolf said. "I'm excited and privileged to be joining St Helens as head coach. It's a great opportunity for me."

Brown last week announced he would leave the club at the end of the season but tendered his immediate resignation on Tuesday after his players were accused of lacking effort in Saturday's 42 point loss to the West Tigers, which all but killed off their finals hopes.

Newcastle chief executive Philip Gardner was at a loss to explain the crushing defeat, which left the Knights in 11th spot, three points outside the top eight, and needing a minor miracle to make the finals.

The pair's move to shun New Zealand and Australia has earned mixed responses from both sides of the Tasman, as they joined the likes of New Zealanders Manu Ma'u, Sio Siua Taukieaho and David Fusitu'a at Tonga.

The former Kiwi captain Benji Marshall claimed Taumalolo's decision was "disrespectful", while Cooper Cronk said Fifita's move to change allegiances after being named for Australia was "poor".