First-up win suits Bennett

WAYNE Bennett expressed his satisfaction after making a winning start as England coach with a 40-6 victory over a spirited France in Avignon.

It was just the workout England needed ahead of the Four Nations, although Bennett already had an idea of his team to play New Zealand at Huddersfield on Saturday.

“I thought we handled it pretty well without blowing them away,” said Bennett.

“I thought France tried really hard, they were really competitive and had good ball control.

“I was pretty pleased with all the new caps, I wasn’t disappointed with anybody tonight.

“But it hasn’t made my job of picking a side for next week tougher. I already had an idea of my team to face New Zealand anyway.”

Leeds winger Ryan Hall extended his record try haul to 28 in as many appearances with two first-half touchdowns, while five-eighth Gareth Widdop scored his side’s seventh and final try and kicked a sixth goal to bring up a century of points for his country.

The only disappointment for England was the loss of acting captain James Graham, who was the victim of a late and dangerous tackle five minutes from the end.

“He’s a bit sick in there but the doctor says he should be OK,” Bennett said.

Bennett denied accusations from new France head coach Aurelien Cologni that England had disrespected their hosts by flying in and out of Avignon on the day of the game.

“There was no suggestion that we were trying to be smart,” Bennett said.

NRL crew want more

RUGBY League Players Association members want the collective bargaining agreement talks with the NRL to deliver perks and conditions which make them feel less like “tenants’’ in the sport.

The last 12 months of the current CBA start tomorrow week, with the agreement guaranteeing payments and conditions at NRL clubs expiring on October 31 next year.