Mal to Wayne: stay on
AUSTRALIA coach Mal Meninga has urged Wayne Bennett not to quit his England post, saying his foe has given the Poms a harder edge.
Bennett is officially off contract with England in the wake of their gripping 6- 0 loss to Australia in the World Cup final on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium. The Broncos super coach refused to speculate on his future immediately after the defeat.
Bennett would have resigned if England failed to make the final, but he is leaning towards staying after his side almost conjured a Kangaroos boilover.
“I was talking to Wayne after the game and they are improving all the time,” Meninga said. “He has brought a harder edge. England are playing quality rugby league and they look like and play like Wayne Bennett- coached sides.
“They control the footy really well and get to their kicks, they play the field position game and keep on turning up for each other defensively.
“They have a commitment around their defence. There isn’t too many chinks in their armour. We found one ( in the final) and that was all.
“It’s up to Wayne but they have made some huge strides. It’s been great for the international game. The World Cup has been a great tournament. We’ve got the Pacific Island teams coming through.
“I’m hoping that with this behind us, we can keep on pushing forward with international rugby league and keep propagating the game at that level and make it rewarding for all the countries to play on an international stage.”
England’s schedule next year could convince Bennett to sign on for a second term. They play a three- Test series against New Zealand starting on October 27, meaning Bennett will have few Test distractions during his 2018 NRL campaign with the Broncos.
Asked if he wanted to stay on as England coach in the wake of the World Cup decider, Bennett said: “I’m not talking about that now. I’m not in a good state at the moment. I will think about it.”
England halfback Luke Gale said Bennett had been a revelation.
“The lads love his company,” Gale said. “If you aren’t doing your job, he will tell you.
“He is open and honest and that’s why the boys respect him so much. He doesn’t pull any punches.
“He does the camp thing really well. He has been involved in a lot of camps with New Zealand and State of Origin. He gets you nice and relaxed. I can’t speak highly enough about him. I hope he stays on.”