Grudge match of the season

WAYNE Bennett could exact the ultimate revenge on Brisbane this week by pushing Anthony Seibold’s Broncos coaching career to the brink of extinction.

Bennett and the Broncos are rivals in rugby league’s coldest war, with no sign of tension easing in relations that soured after Bennett and Seibold swapped coaching roles at Souths and the Broncos before last season.

Former Bronco Ben Ikin, who is Bennett’s son-in-law, said both coaches had deepseated motivation for Friday night’s game that stretched far beyond the routine pressures of the regular season.

“For Seibold and Bennett, no matter what happened before this week they are intent on winning this one for very specific reasons,” Ikin said.

“There is just more emotion involved against your old club, against the coach whose job you took, and it does sharpen your focus.’’

Bennett’s fury still bubbles close to the surface. Only last month he blasted Broncos chairman Karl Morris for intimating Bennett left Seibold with a decaying roster.

Bennett also took a rare public shot at Seibold, saying

“there is a lot of talent there under Seibold but no one is playing to their talent”.

Ikin said the intriguing rivalry involved two coaches of vastly contrasting methods.

“Seibold is learning his trade,” he said. “Bennett is a master coach. Seibold has a lot of knowledge. Bennett is very knowing. It is the difference between theory and wisdom.”

Both sides will be desperate to chalk up victory for different reasons.

Souths, with six wins from 12 games, need to shore up their finals prospects, while the Broncos, with just three wins for the season, are playing for their coach’s future.