Bennett signs up until 2019
WAYNE BENNETT has signed a new two-year deal as England head coach after the Rugby Football League backed down on their insistence that any agreement would have to be for four years.
The 68-year-old Australian’s previous deal expired after he guided England to the final of the 2017 World Cup and the governing body recently said that a new deal must cover a four-year cycle up to the next World Cup in 2021. However, after Castleford coach Daryl Powell decided against taking on the role, Bennett will continue in the post and will also lead the revived British Lions in 2019.
Bennett, a popular figure with England’s players, will lead them in a mid-season Test against New Zealand in Denver before a three-match Test series against the Kiwis on home soil at the end of the season.
Bennett said: “It was disappointing not to be lifting the World Cup last December but I mentioned about this squad being on a journey. I want to continue that journey because I firmly believe we can achieve something special together.
“I have seen this group grow in confidence and belief. There’s plenty of work to be done and club fixtures to be played between now and the New Zealand games – everyone is aware of what is required of them to join the England programme.” The mid-season Test match in Colorado, pencilled in for Saturday, June 23, is expected to be confirmed later this week by Australian promoter Jason Moore, who wants to use the game to build up interest ahead of the 2025 World Cup, which will be hosted by the USA.
WIDNES forward Chris Houston has been banned for the next two games after a collision with referee Phil Bentham during last Friday’s home defeat by Warrington. CHRISTIAN Coleman smashed the world 60m record at the USA indoor championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Coleman, 21, who won 100m silver at last summer’s World Championships, clocked 6.34sec to beat the time of 6.39sec of fellow American Maurice Greene, set 20 years ago.
“It feels like a blur,” said Coleman, who will lead the American team at next week’s World Indoor Championships in Birmingham.