Bennett and Poms in for testing time

WAYNE Bennett is set to walk head- on into a showdown with rival NRL coaches after accepting a new two- year extension to keep coaching England.

England will make Bennett’s deal official in the next 24 hours and from there it is understood the Poms will push forward with plans to stage a mid- year Test against New Zealand in the United States.

NRL clubs and coaches have expressed concerns about the game given it has been pencilled in to be played in Denver, Colorado, on the same weekend as State of Origin II.

But while the NRL clubs think at the moment this game has little chance of going ahead, England remain on the march to make it happen.

If the game goes ahead, it could also have huge ramifications on Tonga’s hopes of keeping the like of Jason Taumalolo from heading back to the Kiwis.

Already James Graham and Sam Burgess have spoken passionately about the concept and you can bet Bennett won’t be scared off by the reluctance from NRL clubs or some coaches.

Graham said last month people involved in the NRL needed to think bigger picture and promote the international game on the back of last year’s World Cup success.

Graham said: “We might all have to sacrifice a little bit for the greater good of the international game.”

While NRL clubs may have legitimate welfare concerns, England officials believe it is hardly any more dangerous than releasing Australian players for the Origin series.

Bennett has only signed on for two more years at the moment but could ultimately lead England right through to the 2021 World Cup.

England showed massive improvement at last year’s tournament to make the final where they went down in a hard fought 6- 0 loss to Austra- lia despite missing star hooker Josh Hodgson and Sean O’Loughlin.

There is also speculation from NRL coaches that this proposed United States Test is an attempt by the New Zealand Rugby League to lure back Tonga’s World Cup stars led by Taumalolo.

If England don’t play New Zealand in the mid- year Test, that will open the door for Tonga to play the Kiwis on the same weekend as part of the Pacific Tests.