Australian Rugby
League legend Bennett to link up with Wallabies?
ESPNscrum Staff
May 4, 2011
Dragons coach Wayne Bennett speaks to his team on the field after the their  NRL clash with the Rabbitohs, WIN Jubilee Stadium, Sydney, Australia, September 5, 2010
Bennett claimed his seventh Grand Final win with the Dragons last season © Getty Images
Enlarge

Legendary rugby league coach Wayne Bennett has signalled he would be willing to help Australia with their World Cup preparations.

Wallabies assistant coach Jim Williams expressed a desire to tap into Bennett's coaching expertise earlier this week in the hope that the knowledge that propelled the Brisbane Broncos to six National Rugby League titles and the St. George Illawarra Dragons to the most recent title would bolster Australia's assault on union's biggest prize.

And Bennett, who also helped orchestrate New Zealand's victory at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, has now revealed to the Sydney Morning Herald that he would be open to the idea and that he takes a keen interest in the team's fortunes.

Bennett, widely regarded as the most successful coach ever in the 13-man code, told the newspaper he was happy to help but immediately warned coach Robbie Deans and his players of what was required. ''From the head coach down to the trainer and the players, everybody has got to believe,'' he said.

Williams and Wallabies scrum coach Patricio Noriega attended Waratahs training session yesterday with former Parramatta Eels coach Daniel Anderson after which Williams said he was keen to bounce ideas off Anderson and Bennett to benefit his personal development as a coach.

''[Anderson], Wayne Bennett, those are the kinds of blokes you need exposure to,'' said Williams, who has acted as assistant to Wallabies coach Robbie Deans for three years. "They have a background of winning and creating teams of character.

''Just chatting to those guys will be invaluable. I haven't [spoken to Bennett] yet … you want to be exposed to the best people in sport. I'm blessed to have Robbie as a coach and if I can keep getting exposed to different sports and different areas, it can only help you.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.