Bennett holds off on coaching future
WAYNE Bennett resumes work tomorrow on his mission to take England to the World Cup final before he decides whether he wants to remain coach next year.
Bennett said he knew more about the England players after taking them through the Four Nations last year and selection continuity would aid their performances in the World Cup.
Bennett will join the England team in Perth tomorrow, where they will have a warm- up match next weekend before an October 27 opening match against Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos in Melbourne.
Although they are in the same pool, an Australia- England final on December 2 at Suncorp Stadium is possible. “I don’t enjoy playing Australia in the first game – they are quite formidable and have a lot of understanding because of the games so many of them have played together,’’ Bennett said.
“It’s not an easy task. We’ll have to do well and build through the tournament, to be in the final if we can.
“The best part is I have picked nearly the same team as last year. We’ve gone on 12 months more, played Samoa ( for a win in May).
“They know me and know what I want. There’s been not too many injuries. It will help us and we’ve all come together.’’
Bennett’s contract ends after the World Cup and he said he had not opened talks with England’s Rugby Football League about whether he will coach them in a home Test series against New Zealand late next year.
“If I’m not helping them play better, I don’t like hanging around.
“I think I’m doing a good job with the players. If I think I’m helping them play well in the World Cup, we can talk about it then.
“I know what they bring this time and what they don’t bring.’’
Bennett said he was “happy either way’’ with whether players were sinbinned automatically for punching.
World Cup rules will leave the decisions to the discretion of the one referee.
Bennett said he did not “even remember’’ Sam Burgess’s punch of Australia’s David Klemmer in the Four Nations pool game last year.
“You can argue both points of view. I’m happy either way,’’ he said.
“We have an international rule … that doesn’t worry me either.’’
Broncos and Australian forward Matt Gillett said he did not underestimate New Zealand as contenders, but said England would be out to “do something special’’.
“The Four Nations was a bit of stepping stone for him to see their side and understand their team’s culture,’’ Gillett said.
“He will have put a few things in place during the Four Nations to help them be more prepared.’’
England’s warm- up match will be against a side from the Affiliated States Championship, comprising players from Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory.