Wayne Bennett has confirmed his interest in the vacant Australian coaching role.
The rugby league master coach, whose last tenure as Australian mentor ended when he lost the 2005 Tri-Nations, told News Corp Australia he wanted another chance at the top job.
“I am interested in the Australian job,” Bennett said.
“I don’t know what the process is but I would like to do it again.
“I enjoyed my last stint with the national team and yes, I want to do it again.”
Bennett, who endured the heartache of seeing his Brisbane team lose the 2015 grand final in golden point, also cast aside suggestions the national role should be a full-time position, maintaining the view he could juggle the role alongside his post at the Broncos.
“I’ll tell you what the Australian team needs – they need the best coach, whoever that is,” he said.
Bennett’s view is at odds with those of his most likely rival for the position, Mal Meninga, who has admitted he would more than likely step down from his position as Queensland Origin coach to accept the Australian job.
“To be honest, I don’t know why someone like Wayne would want the Test job. He has plenty of commitments with the Broncos,” Meninga said.
Former Manly mentor Geoff Toovey has also reportedly shown interest in the role, with the ARLC likely to make their final decision by Christmas.
Brett
Guest
I'm sure the ARL are more focused on coaching ability than media skills. They are both boring in interviews anyway, Bennett says two words and Sticky blames the refs every game.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
If Ricky puts his hand up I bring that up too. Despite the fact he is a horrible coach, at least Ricky had the balls to face the media
Brett
Guest
Tame really, well compared to physically and verbally intimidating the ref and officials (as well as calling them cheats, raging on about a conspiracy) after a World Cup loss like Sticky.
Brett
Guest
Newcastle debacle is an embellishment. The Knights are a lazy team, no matter who coaches them, they have been for years. Mal has to be the next coach of AUS, he has the man management credentials.
Nb
Guest
Give it to mal, then gould can coach the maroons he loves so much!
Samtwocan
Guest
Yeah great idea another unproven candidate for the most important job in Australian rugby league ..
Samtwocan
Guest
I'll take Mal any day , he's more than proven he's a first rate coach and player , he'd bring back the passion that seems to have been lost in recent years ... And I'm a new south Welshman ...
Mat D
Guest
Great idea Riley. An EXCELLENT choice. The guy knows his footy at International Level. Brilliant suggestion.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
There's only one man for the job: David Furner. He's been in the Kangaroos camp for years working as an assistant coach, has a strong relationship with the playing group, is currently not occupied with an NRL head coaching role, helped deliver the 2015 NRL premiership to North Queensland and has coached first grade before.
Mat D
Guest
Exactly NOIP. Anyway, if he was to lose a series let's hope it's not by Golden Point field goal. We'd have to go through all of the sour grapes, bad sport, bad timing crap again. It all looked so bad even if he didn't mean it ??? Also, he would only have one ref to blame as International RL only allocates one official in the centre. I really believe "Super Coach" should just stay full time with The Broncos. He certainly won't ever leave there again as an NRL coach. Not after his Newcastle debacle. I think he will be buried at Suncorp. So will young Darius. Perhaps he's trying to create a "better look" after his Grand Final cry. Aussie International RL needs new blood. Great coaches like Maguire, Cleary, Bellamy, Toovey, perhaps even Hassler ( not real keen about that one ), would all be more than suitable. Besides, when you are in charge of the best players in the world all in the same team you would have to be more of a great organiser, man manager and motivator. The players do the rest.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
So he can lose another series and try and do the runner from the media at the airport again?