Wayne Bennett is one of those rare characters who can talk up a game simply by saying nothing.

The master NRL coach has remained silent all week refusing to give an insight into his emotions before returning to Brisbane as coach of St George Illawarra to play Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

He gave the media the slip in Sydney on Thursday and then declined to talk when swamped by cameras and photographers a few hours later at Brisbane airport.

Bennett would have been hounded this week by journalists hoping to get the “exclusive” about his homecoming and thoughts on beating the club he guided to six premierships and an unprecedented 17 straight finals campaigns when he held the coaching reins for 21 straight years.

Bennett is not one to buckle under pressure from the media, or anyone else for that matter.

His Marcel Marceau impersonation to block out the media is classic Wayne Bennett.

If he had anything to say, or wanted to say something, you can bet he’d would have said it.

Bennett hasn’t uttered a word to journalists.

But you can bet he’s had a fair bit to say to his players about what it takes for them to beat a side like the Broncos.

He should know, having instilled the never-say-day culture into the club.

A master of the ambush and a genius at playing mind games, Bennett was never going to engage the media before this game.

He didn’t acquire the name “Poker Face” just because he rarely smiles – it was also because he kept his cards close to his chest and because he is so difficultly to read.

By saying nothing, he has kept everyone, including his former players, guessing.

He’s got fans talking, former players making predictions and the media bashing their heads against the wall wondering how they get a word out of him.

Ivan Henjak, the man who took on the job of replacing him at the Broncos – a pretty daunting decision given Bennett’s successes – has handle himself with class this week as the Bennett questions flew thick and fast.

He even saw the funny side when asked what he thought of his former boss’s efforts to talk up the game which has grabbed the public’s attention.

“It’s one of his great strengths,” said Henjak, tongue firmly in his cheek.

“I’ve enjoyed every word.

“I’ve learned a hell of a lot off him in the last week.”

© AAP 2012

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