Hasler sack rumour an over- reaction, says Bennett

BRONCOS coach Wayne Bennett has labelled the scrutiny over Des Hasler’s job security an over- reaction to Canterbury’s start to the season.

The Broncos will meet the under- siege Bulldogs in a tough clash tonight at ANZ Stadium, with Canterbury coach Hasler under pressure.

The Canterbury board meets today and the focus will be on how the club responds to rumours Hasler could be the second coach axed this year after Jason Taylor was sacked by the Tigers last week.

Bennett yesterday said Hasler, who has coached 341 NRL games, deserved more than five rounds to prove his worth.

“Des has been a longstanding coach, he has a great reputation in the game, he’s just having a bit of a tough patch,” Bennett said. “We all go through those. ( The clubs) know what Jason Taylor brought, they know what Des brings, they know what I bring long before the balls are kicked off and the season starts.

“The rest is just an over- reaction sometimes.

“The buck always stops with the coach. That just goes with the territory. We’re in a highly competitive business and there’s eight teams that lose every week.’’ Canterbury have one win in the opening four rounds of the season and will be desperate to get another two points over Brisbane.

History does not go in Hasler’s favour, with the two- time premiership coach having won just nine of his 23 games against Bennett- coached sides.

Bennett is wary of his own side falling into a false sense of security given the troubles the Bulldogs are having.

He knows the Broncos could underestimate their opponents and will be pushing the message that they should expect the Bulldogs to come out firing.

“Of course they can. I just hope they don’t,” Bennett said of Brisbane going in with a false sense of security.

“I know the Bulldogs will be really hard. I expect they’ll be tough and wanting to redeem themselves.’’