Wigan Warriors chairman Ian Lenagan has called for Wayne Bennett to be replaced as national coach by an Englishman.
Lenagan, one of the most influential of the Super League club owners, pushed the claims of former Wigan coach Shaun Wane as the successor to Bennett, whose contract ran out at the end of 2019.
Wane ended his long association with the club after leading them to a third grand final triumph in 2018 and is currently working part-time in Scottish Rugby Union.
The Rugby Football League are currently compiling a review into the disappointing Great Britain Lions tour and expect to make an announcement on the vacant coaching role at the next board meeting on February 6.
Speaking at a briefing at Wigan’s pre-season media day, Lenagan said a majority of club chairman want a change of coach and picked out Castleford boss Daryl Powell as another candidate.
“The least said about the recent international series the better,” Lenagan said.
“It’s interesting to see our old friend Shaun being mooted a few times in terms of whether or not he should become the England coach.
“There is no doubt that from the vast majority of chairman I talk to that we’d like to see an English guy and somebody who can motivate and understand Super League better.
“I think Wayne Bennett is an enormously capable coach and has been superb all his life but I would much prefer a Shaun Wane or a Powell or whoever it is but someone of the calibre and talent who can make the England team play well because he knows them and doesn’t make the sort of strange selection decisions.”
Jimmy the Jet
Guest
Let's face it, Wayne Bennett is way past it, as a coach. the recent British Lions tour was an absolute disaster...they lost every game
Daz
Roar Rookie
Thats what they need.
Nat
Roar Guru
I don't think he's ever been a great 'tactictian'. He's always had the philosophy that league is a very simple game. Do the basics well and you'll win more than you lose. Statistaically he is right. Only Bellamy and Robbo have better records but they are 1 clubbers and half the amount of time in charge.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Why do people keep drawing literal lines through my punchlines? "It was a joke son" - Foghorn Leghorn
Rob
Guest
If Wayne didn't have the record he did from many years ago he would be getting slammed by everyone. Reality is he is not a great coach anymore. As a man manager he is still fantastic but seems to have lost it in the tactical side of the game.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Ok Boomer :laughing:
Walter White
Guest
Sadly I think that is a lot of it even at Souths. Oh he will give some top level guidance but I am not sure he is upto a proper coaching role anymore. If you look at the hours Bellamy and Robinson put in and I bet Wayne isn't awake that many hours let alone functioning. Shaun Wane is the man for my money. What happened to him at Wigan was cruel, he deserved a lot better than that. He would put his heart and soul into the England job. He is rough but the english team would relate to him. I know they respect Bennett but Shaun would be a different kettle of fish entirely.
Walter White
Guest
Err, England play in the summer!
Walter White
Guest
This is Rugby League all true fans should care about what happens in the rest of the world. Its thinking such as yours that keeps us mired in the past.
Jockstar
Guest
Wayne’s taking the schmeichel and doesn’t give a fig. Pure mercenary taking the cash with no love or passion for the side.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Lets face it Bennett's coaching of the Lions on the recent Lions tour was disgraceful. Virtually phoned it in. He's just living on his reputation at the moment and that is disintegrating before our eyes. I'm shocked that he wasn't sacked straight after the tour or walked. England needs a coach that actually cares about their results.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Is it just my perception or are the majority of NRL stories this off-season about the Rabbitohs? It's like reading the NRL news on the Rabbitohs official website. Even traffic lights turn amber occasionally. Time to turn the page I think.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Good. One less major distraction for "Mr Magoo" should help the Rabbitohs' chances immeasurably. Those cold English winters were starting to take their toll on him. He was asleep in the coaches box before halftime most games I saw.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'd have thought any country would want to have a home grown national coach where possible, but only if the coach is thought to be good enough to do the job. I guess the powers that be in Great Britain need to decide if they have anyone that fits that bill.
Insider
Roar Rookie
But he’s such a good coach! I think Benny should just pick Aussies to play for England, Brooksie could play front row
Bradley Jennings
Guest
This is Australia. Nobody cares what happens on the m62
Nat
Roar Guru
I tend to agree. SL is a different style and that's what they should bring to the tourneys. They're not going to beat Aust at our style. Really the only 3 NRL Poms should be the Raiders trio as they can pay as up-tempo as anyone.