Bunny Benny set to hop into 33rd season
AT 69, most blokes are happily retired. But not South Sydney mentor Wayne Bennett.
The NRL’S oldest coach will kick off a new era at Souths this Saturday, and he says he can’t wait to get cracking on his 33rd straight season coaching in the big league.
While none of the Bunnies’ biggest names will be playing in the trial against Riverina, Bennett did confirm superstar Greg Inglis was scheduled to start running again on Wednesday as he recovers from a recent knee complication.
However, Bennett already has a spring in his step, saying he was excited to be starting the next chapter in his long and illustrious career.
“I am going out. I am looking forward to seeing them play,” Bennett said.
“I am looking forward to taking South Sydney to Albury.
“The last time I coached a team out there (Brisbane) played South Sydney in Albury in about 1993 in a pre-season game.
“It was a final of that preseason comp they used to run and Souths beat us.
“So this is my first trip back since then.”
Bennett laughed when asked if he could have imagined back then he’d still be coaching 26 years down the track: “No, I didn’t. But anyway, I’m still here.”
Bennett has named boom Brisbane recruit Corey Allan at fullback for the trial but had no hesitation confirming that In- glis would be wearing the No.1 jumper.
“That is where he wants to play,” Bennett said.
“I told him I was happy to play him where he wants to play.”
However, Bennett said the club would not rush Inglis’s return from injury.
With the kick-off to the NRL season now just a month away, there is little chance Inglis will play in the opening weeks.
Fellow recruits Cory Denniss, Bayley Sironen, Kurt Dillon, Rhys Kennedy and Jack Johns will all get a chance to impress the new coach.
Another interesting selection is Campbell Graham playing in the centres.
Bennett said he was still weighing up whether to keep the towering youngster on the wing or give Graham a shot at claiming Inglis’s previous spot permanently.
The Souths side also includes talented young hooker Billy Brittain.