Like all New South Wales supporters, I’m absolutely fed up with the pathetic State of Origin results over the past decade. More than anything, a lack of competent coaching and captaincy has been the problem.
But I have the solution – Wayne Bennett.
Am I joking or just stupid? Maybe both. But let’s consider a few points.
Firstly, I have no faith in the current people being considered to coach next year: Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler, Danny Burderus or Phil Gould. We need new blood, someone with no connection to any of the failed group or Channel Nine.
Wayne Bennett is a perfect alternative. He’s a great coach, probably the greatest, and is a student of the game.
In the past he has seen fit to coach such enemies as New Zealand and England, for the good of the game, and of course his own legacy. So he wouldn’t be against coaching the Blues.
Bennett is also his own man, and doesn’t seem to care what the media or the mainstream think. He’s interested in building his legacy, which is why he left Brisbane to coach successfully at St. George.
He moved on to Newcastle with similar ambitions, and although he was unsuccessful there were extenuating circumstances. Bennett’s still coaching well, and was extremely lucky not to win another premiership when Brisbane lost to the Cowboys.
To satiate Bennett’s ambition, NSW offers a perfect project. There is no bigger challenge remaining in rugby league. Imagine the hype, excitement, interest and TV rating that would be created if he came on board.
And in no way would it weaken or discredit a possible NSW victory, just because a Queenslander steered them to glory. Who cares. We just want to win another series and restore some faith and pride in the state and the game itself.
It’s not good for the game for Queensland to keep on winning. As long-suffering supporters we really need to give it back to the Queenslanders, who continue to gloat and lord it over us.
Finally, although Bennett is obviously a proud Queenslander, I’m sure for a number of reasons as outlined above he would accept the challenge.
So please, NSW selectors, have the guts to pose the question.
matth
Guest
Bennett got NZ a world cup win. Bennett got the extremely ordinary Newcastle side within one game of a grand final Bennett hasn't yet coached the English at the World Cup. Where are the failures there?
John
Guest
Interestingly enough if Tallis' rumours that Bennett is out to undermine Walters/Meninga this would be the perfect way to do it.
Tim
Guest
Should he guide the Blues to a series win, then we have the QLD'ers bagging us for having done it with the coach one of their own ! No thanks !!
Shailendar kumar
Guest
Intrestly whole nsw fan is saying the same thing that the next nsw couch should be someone who has no connections with channel 9,Foxtel or the daily telegraph yet nsw boss George doesn't get it.WHY.
Art Vanderlay
Guest
And he says in the Courier Fail today that he'll never coach the roaches.
Charles NSW
Guest
How dare you even come up with the thought a Queenslander would coach NSW. We have our problems but no way would we allow that to happen
J.C.
Roar Pro
I dont think Bennett would do it.
Abdulla
Guest
Phil Gould's comments last year about nsw loss sacked Robbie Farrah and gallen.his analysis about this year's loss has gone another level.fact is nsw got no passion.after years of denying this fact was on show last Wednesday.
Rod
Guest
I think we need a coach like Toovey. Someone with a little on the crazy side. We need some enforcers in the side and few more brain cells. The side I would consider for next year 1 Tom T( great combo with his Bro) 2 J Hayne 3.Jack Bird 4. Dylan Walker 5. Anthony Don 6 Moylan 7. Maloney( Cleary to eventually take his spot) 8. Paul Vaughan 9. Api 10.klemmer 11. Cordner 12. Frizell 13. Jake T (C) our best and smartest player 14. Wade Graham 15. Campbell Gillard 16. Chricton - dynamic ball runners and smart footballer 17. Peachy Fifita - not convinced he has the mental aptitude when the going gets tough Woods- big slow lug Cordner. I thought he did ok as captain , but as a leader he should have ruled himself out of game 3. Just like what I see and hear from Jake more Tedesco our best back , but I think Tom T is a better prospect and his combo with Jake is lethal. Better at setting up his outside backs as well
Nat
Roar Guru
The question was asked on the news last night and Bennett dismissed it. What about another Benny- Alias? Has he coached before? The thought being someone who is not only passionate but will bring some mongrel? Surround him with Johns, Sironen/Lazurus, Fitzy and the like. Woods would never get a start in that team. Fifita would be obligated to run hard and straight first and Jarryd Hayne may learn some humility.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Craig Bellamy will take the reins full-time from 2019. Let Daley have one more year. Just bring in some better analysts as assistants.
steveng
Roar Rookie
You don't have to be much of a coach for Qld, when NSW are as hopeless as they are!!!!
Big Daddy
Guest
While the current board of NSWRL is in place it will be a Daley, Johns, Fulton or someone from the old boys club. They will probably bring back Gallen and Farah just to make it a complete stuff up.
kk
Roar Pro
Yesterday @ 10:11am I posted a suggestion that he be offered the post with a double fee bonus incentive. Wayne has a reputation for his love of the dollar.
Taree Raider
Guest
Why not. Bennett's ego alone would make it a success. Just remember that everyone praises Craig Bellamy as a coach & he is an exceptional coach of Slater, Inglis Cronk & most importantly Smith. He has never not coached Billy, Coop's & Cam at the Storm. The day Smith retires so will Craig, that just reflects how good Smith really is. Bellamy did coach a pretty good NSW Blues side & came up with nothing but defeat. Why not ask Benny to give it a go, no one else has come up with a solution, I think Wayne could.
BrainsTrust
Guest
Bennett will do anything for money but the best tactic would be to get Queensland to hire him again which would increase NSW chances rather than waste millions paying him to coach NSW to a loss.If you want to invest millions in Bennett the surer method to succeed is use that money for a winning bonus for the players.
Albo
Guest
The NSW team doesn't need a new coach . It needs some higher quality players to match the standard required to counter the immortals Smith, Thurston, Cronk & Slater who have provided the QLD dominance for the past decade. At this stage NSW have only had normal high quality players, which is just not good enough to match the immortals calibre. Perhaps once the big 3 or 4 finally retire things will become a more even keel. But right now if you don't have the equivalent cattle, you can't expect to compete. Just as we saw when "super coach' Bennett was failing with Newcastle, England & NZ.
PatchMan
Guest
Bennett said many times before'...He will NEVER coach N.S.W.! So I wouldn't waste my breath!
Albo
Guest
Just like QLD have had for a decade now !
Jimbo
Guest
Nah. I would go with Wally Lewis, or even Cam Smith. I don't think the idea of a player coach is totally dead yet.