WAYNE Bennett has been labelled as disrespectful by sections of the English media following another terse post-match TV interview.
England were less than convincing in their come-from-behind 38-12 success over a gallant Scotland in Sunday’s Four Nations encounter at Coventry. However, it was the seven-time premiership winner, not his players, who came under fire after an interview with the BBC’s Tanya Arnold where he once again responded to her questions with a series of curt responses.
Here’s how the interview unfolded.
Tanya Arnold: Wayne, no doubt you’ll be pleased with the win. What did you make of your team’s performance out there?
Wayne Bennett: Yeah. Just pleased with the win. That’s about all I can say about that actually.
TA: Really that bad? You were not impressed at all?
WB: Not really. No.
TA: Obviously that first half was particularly bad. In that first 30 minutes did you not feel they improved in the second?
WB: Look, I can hardly hear you, but I think what you said was something about the first 20 minutes. We were bad. We weren’t good.
TA: Did they do what you wanted them to do in the second half?
WB: We got closer to it.
TA: What more were you looking from them?
WB: Just for them to play to their ability and they were far from that.
TA: Any of the players did you think put themselves out of next week’s game or put them into next week’s game?
WB: Yeah. They probably have. A couple.
TA: George Williams. Did you feel he had the effect that you wanted maybe even if you’re not pleased with the overall team.
WB: George was good, but he can play a lot better than he played tonight too.
TA: I’m guessing there will be a lot of hard work between now and next week?
WB: Well, a bit of thinking. Maybe the hard work is not necessary, but they need to have a bit of a look at themselves.
TA: See you next week.
BBC commentators and former Super League stars Iestyn Harris and Jon Wells immediately slammed Bennett as a disrespectful disgrace.
“This country is at a crossroads with what we do with the international game,” said former Super League winger Jon Wells, who was co-commentating on the game for BBC Radio.
“I think that interview was nothing short of a disgrace.
England struggled to shake off a scrappy Scotland side.Source:Getty Images
“He’s treated a very professional broadcaster with disrespect. “He’s been asked questions in good faith. He might not be happy with the result, but you’ve got to front up as a head coach.” Bennett was appointed by the English RFL on a lucrative two-year contract earlier this year in an effort to raise the profile of a sport that lags well behind football, cricket and rugby outside of its northern heartlands.
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His refusal to talk to the media during a four-day visit during the Super League season frustrated his paymasters and his reticence to promote the game has puzzled the rugby league community.
“It’s a difficult job to take and at a difficult time,” Wells said. “Wayne must know, he’s an internationalist and an expansionist, so he understands the lay of the land.
Bennett is yet to have the impact on England that many expected.Source:Getty Images
“It’s not just about putting on a good training session and motivating your players.
“You’re an ambassador for the sport in this country. We’re trying to get more people watching and listening to this game.” Harris, a standout player for Great Britain and Wales during a stellar career, echoed Wells’ sentiments.
“When he first came over here mid-season during the Super League, he was here for four days and didn’t speak to the press,” Harris told the BBC. “He is the Alex Ferguson of the NRL. He’s come over here to promote the game and taken it to another level with his profile.
“He has a responsibility to do those types of interview and grow our game. “I thought that interview was shocking.”
Originally published as ‘That interview was nothing short of a disgrace’
