WAYNE IS JUST LIKE A DAD
Ellis salutes Bennett
GARETH ELLIS is convinced the secret side of Wayne Bennett can help England to World Cup glory.
The coach is famously grouchy in public and openly admits he doesn’t like the media or having to publicise games.
But former England and Great Britain star Ellis says the players love him.
“He has his knockers but something he is good at is galvanising the team and I hope that will serve them well,” he said.
“He has great attention to detail. He pays great attention to getting to know you as a person and knows all about your family.
Tight
“The number of players who say he is like a father figure, or a second dad to them, is unbelievable.”
Ellis retired as a player at Hull at the end of the season but is in Australia to watch the World Cup and has spent some time with the England players.
Hull’s new football manager said: “They seem a really good, tight group and hopefully it will serve them well over the next few weeks.”
England lost their opening fixture 18-4 to Australia last Friday but are expected to post a big score over Lebanon in Sydney on Saturday. But Ellis has warned England not to take them for granted after their shock 29-18 win over France at the weekend.
He said: “England should have enough to win the game comfortably but the spirit of the Lebanon team will pose a threat.”
Ellis played with Lebanon captain Robbie Farah at Wests Tigers in the NRL and met up with his old captain this week.
He said: “Virtually all the Lebanon team are Australians but their families came from Lebanon and there is huge pride there.
“Robbie spoke about the sacrifices that their families made in moving to the other side of the world to give their kids a better life.
“That sacrifice has sparked a hunger in these players to represent Lebanon well and to do their parents proud, so it won’t be easy.”
England hooker James Roby is looking forward to going head-to-head with the Cedars hooker, who now plays alongside the Burgess brothers at South Sydney Rabbitohs.
He said: “I’ve played against him a few times and he’s a great player.
“We can’t take things for granted. We have to concentrate on our own game and prepare the best we can.”