'I'm going nowhere': Bennett adamant he'll fulfil Broncos contract

Wayne Bennett has reiterated his commitment to coaching Brisbane in 2019 and rejected suggestions his time at Red Hill is untenable, declaring: “It can certainly work for me.”

The timing of Bennett’s swap with incoming Broncos coach Anthony Seibold is the last piece of the coaching puzzle yet to be resolved. Both clubs privately concede it is untenable to wait until their new contracts come into effect in 2020, given how influential both will be over retention and recruitment decisions.

However, Bennett has stated from the outset his intention to fulfil his Broncos deal and isn’t wavering from that stance. Having just finished his commitments with the England national side – they won their Test series against New Zealand 2-1 – the seven-time premiership-winning mentor said he is planning to oversee Broncos training from next week.

Wayne Bennett has no intention of finishing up early at Brisbane.

Wayne Bennett has no intention of finishing up early at Brisbane.Credit:AAP

“I’ve been committed to staying at the Broncos since day one and nothing has changed,” Bennett told Fairfax Media. “I have had no conversation with Brisbane since the presentation night.

“I spoke to the chairman and the CEO that night at the function and I haven’t seen or talked to anybody since that day. Nothing has changed from my point of view.”

Seibold faces the awkward prospect of coaching South Sydney players for at least another week while Bennett’s future is discussed in the background. Seibold returned to work on Monday and immediately stated his desire to have his future resolved as soon as possible.

But as far as Bennett is concerned, nothing will change until 2020.

“I can’t enlighten anybody at all,” he said. “I’ve had no conversation with anyone about anything other than the fact I’m here next year.”

Asked if it was workable for coaches to be fully committed to their current club when they have also committed to a rival in the future, Bennett said: “It can certainly work for me. The players have known since day one that I’m committed to them and the club and the fans …

“We had a lot of injuries last year to key players. With the exception of Melbourne and St George (Illawarra), we beat every top-eight team. We know we have a quality group of players and you never know what the rugby league world can deliver.

“The point is it’s a quality squad. It’s the same situation for me – I have never for one moment indicated that I won’t be coaching them in 2019.”

Fairfax Media revealed a fortnight ago that South Sydney’s head of football, Shane Richardson, flew to the United Kingdom to meet with the incoming coach. Bennett said all of their discussions pertained to 2020.

“That was about 2020, all because we didn’t get a chance to meet (after signing) because it all happened pretty quickly,” Bennett said. “I appreciated him coming over. It doesn’t annoy me what people think. Shane coming over was nothing to do with 2019.”

The Broncos could face the prospect of having to sack Bennett and pay him out in full to move him on. Several Brisbane players close to Bennett are watching the situation closely, particularly outstanding young forward Tevita Pangai Junior.

Anthony Seibold has signed for the Broncos but may yet still coach the Rabbitohs in pre-season.

Anthony Seibold has signed for the Broncos but may yet still coach the Rabbitohs in pre-season.Credit:AAP

The issue of coach poaching will be one of the main agenda items at Wednesday’s meeting of club chief executives. NRL CEO Todd Greenberg last month stated the governing body will benchmark rugby league’s protocols against those of other sports around the world in deciding whether changes need to be made.

Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe urged the game to bring coaches in line with players after Penrith lured Ivan Cleary to the foot of the mountains while still being contracted to the Tigers.

“Any disruption isn’t good for the game,” Pascoe said. “I talk about stability at club level and it’s not dissimilar at the governing body. They have done a terrific job across many things and I personally think it’s an easy fix.

“If you apply the same principles that we currently do around players, being able to talk to a coach only in his final year would avoid much of that disruption and add to the attraction of the game.”

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