Rugby Football League CEO Ralph Rimmer has revealed fresh candidates have emerged for Wayne Bennett’s England coaching role.
Bennett’s contract ran out at the end of 2019 and, although he is said to be keen to continue in the role he began in 2016, he appears to be facing competition.
A decision will be made early in February when the RFL board receives a review of the ill-fated Great Britain Lions tour of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Former Wigan boss Shaun Wane, currently working part-time with the Scottish Rugby Union, is known to be keen, but Rimmer declined to confirm any names when he addressed the media at the RFL’s season launch in Huddersfield on Monday.
“There’s been a few (candidates), a mix,” Rimmer said.
“Any time the coaching posts come up at any of the four major nations, you would expect there to be a strong field of candidates that want to to take the role.
“So plenty of candidates have emerged.”
Rimmer has been conducting the review alongside RFL rugby director Kevin Sinfield, who has maintained regular contact with Bennett.
“Kevin has been a huge part of the review,” Rimmer said. “He is integral to the report that will finally be submitted.
“We’re right on timetable, as we were. The board meeting is on February 6. The review will be completed and it will hit the table and some decisions will be made.
“We won’t be keeping people waiting.”
Bennett turned 70 on New Year’s Day, but age is not a concern according to Rimmer, who says the appointment will take in the 2021 World Cup as well as this year’s Ashes series.
“It’s all about performance,” he added.
“As a part of this review, we’ve spoken to lots of externals, people who would have some value.
“We’ve spoken to everybody in the camp, asked them to do a survey so we get some feedback anonymously. By the time we get to the right place, it will be comprehensive.”
mushi
Roar Guru
Who's the fourth major nation?
Larry1950
Guest
Such I, ol' grumpy is on a win to nothing if he gets the chop, win a few games under a new coach & he can claim he laid the foundations, lose against lower ranked sides & he can claim the new coach undid all his good work.
Walter White
Guest
Shaun Wane for my money. He has no other real commitments after getting booted from Wigan (after winning the premiership) and he is about as grass roots pommy as you can get. The English team would relate to him very quickly. Bennett is too old for the job let alone sharing it with an NRL position. A full time Shaun Wane would be the way to go.
Graham
Guest
Daryl Powell is the bloke who should get the job. He's a great judge of a player, shrewd tactician, strong boss and decent all round.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Mr Bean
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I think this experiment has been a big fail for Bennett and the Lions. At the very least they need a coach who can commit part or full time - not just float in and out when needed. I also think picking Aussies players with distant UK relatives would do nothing for team morale or fan loyalty.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
He's gorrrrrrne.
Nat
Roar Guru
If it's based on performance, I guess Rabbitohs fans can expect ol' coach to give 100% to the bunnies this year. To take charge of the No 2 team in the world and hand them back after a defeat to PNG will not bode well on his application. That said, next coach will have a task as well with a few of the English greats hanging up their boots. The ESL style of footy is far different to NRL so let the new coach bring that style forward and raise their standards again.