Martin Johnson does a Wayne Bennett

 

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By Dara Lawlor, 13 Oct 2011 Dara Lawlor is a Roar Rookie

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 2011 Rugby World Cup, England rugby, Martin Johnson, Rugby Union, Rugby World Cup

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By ducking the press at Heathrow yesterday, Martin Johnson has shown a keen appreciation of history and followed the example of seven-time NRL Premiership winning coaching great, Wayne Bennett.

It goes without saying that Rob Andrew will definitely be impressed by this willingness to improve and will recommend Johnson’s retention as the national rugby coach to the English Rugby Union.

Bennett avoided the rabid Australian sports press in 2005 on returning to Brisbane when the Kangaroos suffered their first international series defeat in 27 years, when the Kiwis defeated them at Elland Road to win that year’s Tri-Nations series.

Bennett expressed regret at having done so afterwards.

Whether the English press can expect as much from Johnson is another thing.

The Irish President Mary McAleese is still waiting for that phone call eight years on from Martin having made her dirty her shoes on the hallowed turf of Lansdowne Road before 2003′s Grand Slam decider…

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