The great man lends some much needed gravitas to the argument for camp...
http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/nr...ch-wayne-bennett/story-fn7shzfu-1226762763793
Rugby League World Cup is better than 2008 according to supercoach Wayne Bennett
THE man who masterminded New Zealand's shock victory at the last World Cup has declared the 2013 tournament "is better than 2008" and Wayne Bennett has rejected talk that it is a waste of time.
While there is justified criticism over some of the lopsided scorelines, Bennett last night said "what people have to realise is that this is not just about Australia, New Zealand and England, this is about the rest of the world.
"And this is not about now, this is about where we want the game to be in 40 years."
Bennett was the brains behind the Kiwis' stunning upset victory over the Kangaroos in 2008 and he has no doubt in five years the developing league nations have grown significantly, directly because of their involvement in the World Cup.
"One of the reasons I took on the New Zealand job was because everyone was talking down the World Cup and in my opinion this one has been better," the seven-time premiership winning coach said.
"It is not a waste of time for the people of Fiji and everyone else who benefitted out of this. The United States. France. Italy. And that's what the World Cup is about, it is a bit bigger than the NRL, and we need to realise that."
"Fans vote with their feet and they have voted over there that they have enjoyed the concept and the quality of football.
"Everyone that was complaining about the 5000 people who turned up for Australia's game against Ireland should realise that crowd was the biggest rugby league crowd ever in Ireland.
"Biggest ever. That's a good thing for the game.
"And so many of these games have been held in front of similar record crowds, record crowds.
"All through the north of England, in France.
"It's easy for us sitting back here to say it's a waste of time but I'm telling you it is not a waste of time for the people of Fiji and everyone else who benefitted out of this. The United States. France. Italy. And that's what the World Cup is about, it is a bit bigger than the NRL, and we need to realise that.
"Whether it's cricket or rugby union or netball, they are all trying to make a thing of the World Cup in their different sports because it is the only way you are going to develop your sport.
"We keep taking this short-term view. It is not about the short-term here, it's long-term.
"And you're right, we know who the quality teams are now but it won't be long before someone is going to knock over one of these quality teams.
"And I talk to the players and the players have really bought into it this time and they want to represent their countries.
"In 2008 that wasn't as prevalent as it is now.
"I saw the other day Lachlan Coote, who is at the Cowboys now, says he wishes he had played for Scotland. There will be a lot more players that will take the offer next time.
"And people say it's not authentic. I know with Kade Snowden's case he had to get his grand father's birth certificate (to play for Italy).
"That is what they do for every other sport in the world, why do we always have to bag ourselves?"
