NRL 2024 – Rabbit in the Vineyard: Reviewing Wayne Bennett, if that’s possible!

 

 

 

 

NRL Grand Final week book review
Andrew Webster: The Wolf You Feed: Wayne Bennett: The Man, The Myth, The Mayhem

 

Who is the real Wayne Bennett? Andrew Webster attempted to answer this question in his 2023 book.

Wayne James Bennett – born on New Year’s Day, 1950, Allora. That’s in Queensland.

Bennett’s latest coaching gig, as he approaches his 75th birthday on New Year’s Day 2025, is his second stint with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Bennett’s first Redfern chapter is covered in reasonable detail in Webster’s work: from co-owner Russell Crowe’s ‘Mr Bennett’ references to the Super Coach not even travelling with the team back to the Gold Coast after the heartbreaking 12-14 Grand Final loss to Penrith at Lang Park in 2021.

The book reminded me of a magnificent lunch at the iconic Toowoomba watering hole, the Spotted Cow, back in 2019. Sam Burgess and Bennett were the speakers at a fund-raising lunch for the Western Mustangs.

Phil Coorey, from the famous clan of Souths supporters, interviewed Bunnies’ favourite son Sam, with many references to the 2014 premiership.

When it was Wayne’s turn with the microphone, the interview was in two parts. During the ‘innings break’, Phil made a mad dash to our table and said, somewhat panicked: ‘It’s (Wayne’s interview) not going well, is it?”, “He’s not giving us much, is he?!”

We assured Phil this was Wayne being Wayne, and he was ‘warming up’.

Wayne did warm up exceptionally well after the innings break, told plenty of stories, spoke of his love of the Darling Downs, his respect for the history of rugby league, his time in Toowoomba and the Police Academy. Bennett certainly was influenced by the likes of the great Duncan Thompson.

Reading Webster’s book was somewhat like that lunch at the Cow.

The early chapters recounted Bennett’s upbringing in Warwick, much of which was part of the famous ‘man for all seasons’ ABC Australian Story episode. (see link below).

At the age of twelve, Wayne told his mother: he was never going to drink alcohol, he was going to join the police force, and that he would play rugby league for Australia.

Webster details examples of Bennett’s work ethic and habits from an early age: following the example of his Uncle Eddie, who was a member of the police force, he polished his boots every day. Bennett took up sprint training to improve his speed, and finally beat his classmate Paul Coote in a race.

Bennett’s Aunty Noela was his tutor as he sat his Police Academy entrance test the second time and passed.

Paul Coote is quoted in the book: “We both found out that you don’t have to be smart to be successful in life.”

 After these details, there followed a comprehensive summary of Bennett’s life and coaching career, including the early Brisbane Rugby League (BRL) days. As a young coach, Bennett was influenced by Bob Bax, Jack Gibson and Paul Broughton. Gibson had been to the U.S. and was a disciple of Green Bay Packers legend Vince Lombardi.

Throughout its 420+ pages, the book details countless examples of Bennett’s dealings with players: including – sacking Wally Lewis, signing players: the legendary Mal Meninga on signing with the Canberra Raiders: “he gets me here, then the next minute, he leaves!”, the rough diamonds like John Elias (Brisbane Souths), and the tragedies, such as the death of Peter Jackson.

Bennett’s falling out with a variety of people, often when he left a club, or was negotiating with a club, handshake deals (or, no handshake deal) most notably, the Roosters ‘almost signing’ in 2006, involving a who’s who of rugby powerbrokers: Nick Politis, Phil Gould, Ron Massey, to name but a few.

Lachlan Murdoch, along with Ben Ikin and many others, either offered ‘no comment’ to Webster’s requests for interview, or simply did not respond to the author’s messages.

Much was also included around News Limited, Super League, John Ribot, Ken Talbot and the influential ‘Thoroughbreds’ group. The Broncos’ salary cap, particularly in the early nineties, was also scrutinised.

Wayne’s former wife Trish was interviewed, as well as the outspoken Gorden Tallis.

As a rusted on South Sydney football club member, particular parts of the book, and several quotes stood out, including:

The ‘contest’ between Newcastle and Souths to sign Bennett for 2012. Newcastle owner Nathan Tinkler rang Russell Crowe to ask how much the Bunnies were offering Wayne. To Tinkler’s amazement, Crowe was ‘on the drill’ in the dressing rooms at Redfern Oval, mounting team photos on the walls at the time of the call. Crowe inflated the figure Souths would pay Bennett, and the rest is history. Tinkler doubled the amount, and Wayne was off to the Knights.

Given Souths lack of defence since Round 12 2023, this quote stood out:

‘A good line in defence is a sure sign a team is playing for each other and their coach.’

On the NRL’s newest team, the Dolphins: ‘The Dolphins are a good club, everyone is all together, not like the Broncos.’

And, on the ‘individual’ treatment of players over the journey, Allan ‘Alfie’ Langer, then Cody and Latrell at Souths, something that Bennett’s successor at Redfern, Jason Demetriou, came unstuck with, here is Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy’s take: “I haven’t found the key to that lock. I’m a big believer in one in, all in, but Wayne’s mentality is, I’m going to let some players do this because it will help us on  Sunday …’

To which Gorden Tallis adds: “Wayne’s approach works with star studded line ups.”

Fascinating.

A highly recommended read for fans of rugby league, and those interested in the study of coaches.

Five 2025 challenges for Wayne James Bennett:

a) Latrell & Cody – consistency and discipline; b) the ‘spine’ – a new hooker (Cook gone), a new halfback (the St Helens recruit, or?), plus the mercurial duo, c) DEFENCE: d) Jye Gray: one of the few shining lights of 2024 – where will he play? Too good for NSW cup, e) the injury toll: fitness, management and attitude.

 

 

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Phil Coorey interviewing Wayne and Sam (2019, Toowoomba)