Bennett aura already rubbing off on Kiwis
The Kiwis have only been together for one day ahead of the Centenary Test but already Wayne Bennett is having an impact as New Zealand’s new assistant coach.
Bennett cut a strange figure at the SCG, chatting away in his fern-embroidered black blazer and dark tie. He and head coach Stephen Kearney have the awesome assignment of turning around a Kiwi side that lost to Australia 58-nil last October. The early signs are positive.
“Wayne Bennett’s name speaks for himself. He’s already made an influence,” captain Roy Asotasi said. “He’s brought in more professionalism, just letting the boys know what’s required throughout the week.
“It’s something we haven’t had in the past.”
Bulldogs star forward Sonny Bill Williams admitted he was expecting Bennett to be stoic, only to be pleasantly surprised.
“He looks very serious on TV, but he’s a very down to earth bloke. Very easy to get along with,” he said.
“Wayne Bennett has that aura around him. I’ve always thought we’ve had the talent to go there, but now we’ve got the coaches.”
It appears the bitter memories surrounding last years embarrassing capitulation won’t be used as a motivational tool in the build up to Friday’s historic clash.
“That was in the past,” Asotasi said.
“What’s done is done.”
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