Origin Players Must Be Rested: Bennett
by Trad McLean
Friday June 29, 2007
WAYNE Bennett has weighed into the debate over resting players for Origin by warning the league could ‘kill the golden goose’.
NRL clubs this week called for Origin players to be available this weekend because Wednesday’s third game is a dead rubber.
But after the Broncos had their final training session before playing Penrith tomorrow night, the man who has the most to gain by players being available advised against any change.
The Broncos will be missing seven because of Origin commitments against the Panthers, but Bennett said asking the elite players to participate in another game was lunacy.
“That’s never going to happen,” said Bennett when asked about the chance of players being available before an Origin match that was not a series decider.
“The other thing is the players just do not need that extra game.
“If we do that we are trying to kill the goose that is laying the golden eggs.”
The Broncos face a tough battle to win their third game on the trot with so many out, but Bennett said his team was well placed.
Under-strength Broncos’ teams – and as Bennett pointed out, younger teams than this one - have pulled surprises before during the Origin period.
“There has been a history of that and these players have the opportunity now,” he said.
“They look happy this morning. The team has had a couple of good wins and that helps the mood.
“It’s a different team and we might play a different way this week.
“But lots of them have been a part of the last couple of weeks, so they are confident and that is half the battle.”
The Broncos have come through a hard period off the field recently, topped with yesterday’s news international prop Petero Civoniceva had signed with Penrith.
But the Broncos have locked down nearly everyone they want to now, meaning the full focus of the ninth-placed club can be on qualifying for the finals.
“I am pleased Petero has got a club and he is happy with what he has done,” said Bennett.
“We are done (with signing players) now and I am relieved. Now we can get back to talking about football.”
Bennett pushed Greg Eastwood to the bench this morning, moving David Stagg to lock and giving centre Joel Moon his first starting berth in the NRL since round 10 against Manly.
Stagg (pictured) is having his first game back from three weeks out with a shoulder injury, while fullback Denan Kemp gets his second start in the NRL.
Brad Thorn will captain the Broncos for the second time in the match at Penrith’s CUA Stadium.