Wayne Bennett still Wests Tigers’ priority in coaching circus
BRENT READ
SENIOR SPORTS WRITER
Wayne Bennett’s Wikipedia page was hacked yesterday. According to an entry under his coaching record, Bennett is bound for the West Coast Sea Eagles next season.
Funny stuff, except the NRL coaching saga at the moment is no laughing matter, and Bennett is in the thick of it as he ponders his future. His next move is likely to be decided while he is overseas, adding another layer to the madness that has become the story of the post-season.
Bennett, who coached England to a big win over France last weekend, is preparing for a three-match Test series against a Michael Maguire-coached New Zealand
He left Australian shores with his future under a cloud but will return with it likely decided. The dominoes in the most dramatic coaching saga in the game’s recent history are set to play out in coming days.
Bennett has become a central figure in the commotion, his future prompting a host of rumours, some of which have quickly been dismissed by others involved in the theatrics. There was speculation yesterday that he had withdrawn from the race to coach Wests Tigers, although that was denied by club officials.
Bennett remains the Tigers’ preferred option to replace Ivan Cleary, despite reports yesterday that chief executive Justin Pascoe had flown to Auckland on his way to America — he takes club corporates on an annual junket to tour sporting facilities and watch sporting events — to hold talks with Maguire.
The club has already discussed terms with Bennett and it knows where it stands. Timing remains the greatest impediment to the seven-time premiership winner becoming the Tigers’ next coach, with Cleary likely to be shown the door in the next fortnight, freeing him to take a lucrative deal at Penrith and coach his son Nathan.
Bennett has given every indication he wants to finish his contract at the Broncos in 2019 and that may force the Tigers to turn to Maguire.
Whispers continue that Bennett also has his eyes on the South Sydney job should Anthony Seibold successfully interview for the Broncos position and decide he wants to move north in 2020.
Bennett has a close relationship with several Souths players, most notably the Burgess brothers through his involvement with the England team. He has knocked on Souths’ door twice before — once he rebuffed them, and then they rebuffed him.
A third dance appears unlikely, at least from the Rabbitohs’ end, given they have enjoyed success with a young coach over the past 12 months and earmarked David Furner to take over before he was lured to Leeds for 2019. Furner is, however, yet to leave Australia and remains in the picture. The focus could sharpen on him over the weekend before his departure, depending on the plans of Seibold and Brisbane.
The Broncos are still going through their interview process, although they are likely to finish talking to the final member of their four-man shortlist — Kevin Walters — on Monday. They will then be in position to make a call on their successor to Bennett. By then, Manly may have unveiled Des Hasler, the most unlikely and unexpected appointment taking place first. The expectation is that the dominoes will fall rapidly after that.
The madness will lull but it will only be temporary. Once the coaches are in place, expect the players to become the focal point as rosters begin to be reshaped.
Amid the current and looming insanity, at least one thing is certain. Despite the wags on Wikipedia, you can be sure that Bennett won’t be at West Coast Sea Eagles next season.
Via the Australian.
