Bennett defends trial game no-show
WAYNE Bennett has made no apologies for his decision to not attend the Dolphins’ first trial game.
The super-coach was criticised for his Sunday no-show from sections of the rugby league community after he chose to stay home to watch the game against the North Queensland Cowboys, in Cairns, on Fox Sports.
Bennett instead handed control to highly regarded assistant Kristian Woolf.
When contacted on Monday about the controversy, Bennett was rather bemused but not at all concerned.
He said his decision centred on the fact he would have struggled to get back from Cairns in time for Monday’s training with the majority of his top squad, who did not play in the game. The Dolphins will have their pre-season hitout this Sunday against the Gold Coast Titans at home in Redcliffe.
Top-30 squad members in Cairns for Sunday’s trial included Jamayne Isaako, Euan Aitken, Oliver Gildart, Anthony Milford, Jarrod Wallace, Herman Ese’ese, Connelly Lemuelu, Ray Stone, Valynce Te Whare, Mason Teague, Poasa Faamausili, Isaiya Katoa and Jack Bostock.
Bennett remained in Redcliffe with most of the senior squad, including captain Jesse Bromwich and brother Kenny, Felise Kaufusi, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jeremy MarshallKing, Brenko and Edrick Lee, JJ Collins, Kodi Nikorima, Mark Nicholls, Robert Jennings, Sean O’Sullivan, Tesi Niu and Tom Gilbert.
Nevertheless, the squad that took the field in Cairns did the NRL newcomers proud after finishing with a 22-all draw against the Cowboys. Young gun Katoa and Stone were two of the standouts.