BENNETT: LET MY TEAMS DO THE TALKING
FORMULA ONE
ENGLAND boss Wayne Bennett has responded to stinging criticism of his interviews, insisting his only job is to coach.
The veteran Australian, 66, came under attack for his terse responses on BBC TV during the Four Nations, with 5Live pundits Iestyn Harris (bleow) and Jon Wells labelling it “disgraceful”.
But Bennett says the criticism does not affect him, as he has not looked at the media in 10 years.
Ahead of Sunday’s crunch clash with Australia, which England must win to have any chance of reaching the final, he said: “I started coaching in 1977 and they were bagging me then, and nothing’s changed in 2016.
“There’s been a lot of water under the bridge for me, and I am what I am.
“I don’t compromise myself or what I feel at that particular stage in time. To be candid with you, I just don’t read anything you write any more.
“I haven’t read it for over a decade now, I don’t watch TV shows and as soon as rugby league comes on I turn off. I’m immune to anything you say out there.”
On talking to the media he said: “If I had a choice I wouldn’t do it.” He added: “It’s not what I want to do. I want to coach, that’s what my priority is and always be.”
Bennett also responded to claims he has a responsibility to promote rugby league in England. He said: “Talk to any marketing department and they don’t want you to be goofing off and talking it up when your team’s getting beat every week.
“My job is to get the best out of those players and give you the best entertainment possible.
“When that’s in place, what you say away from the game is really immaterial and that’s been my philosophy all my coaching life.
“I’m not interested in cheap talk and I’m not interested in thinking I can promote the game by something I say.
“If the teams I coach play well then you won’t have a shortage of fans and people interested in what you’re doing.” JOLYON PALMER has secured a second season in Formula One after the British rookie was retained by Renault for 2017.
Palmer (left) will line up alongside Nico Hulkenberg next season after his current team-mate and a rival for next season’s final Renault seat, Kevin Magnussen, opted to join American outfit Haas.
Palmer said: “It’s been a steep learning curve and I know that I am performing better than ever – and that there’s still more to come.”