Broncos coach Wayne Bennett storms out of weekly media conference
WAYNE Bennett became so incensed over questions at his weekly media conference he walked off, adding: “You guys (the media) have ruined it”.
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WAYNE Bennett has labelled speculation about his future as “rubbish” as the Broncos super coach stormed out of a media conference ahead of Friday night’s clash against premiers Melbourne.
In a dramatic prelude to the Brisbane-Storm blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium, Bennett became so incensed over questions about his coaching future he walked out on his weekly media conference, adding: “You guys (the media) have ruined it”.
It was a rare outburst from Bennett, who has never previously cut short his traditional pre-match media confidence since his return to the Broncos in 2015.
But with speculation his coaching rival tomorrow night, Storm super coach Craig Bellamy, could eventually succeed him at the Broncos, Bennett was in no mood to discuss Brisbane’s succession plan.
“I don’t want to buy into the rubbish,” Bennett fired.
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“You had Paul Green (Cowboys coach) here a month ago and now we’ve moved on.
“There is a great game of football tomorrow night, let’s talk about the footy and leave the rest to you guys to speculate.”
Asked if he would see out his deal, which expires at the end of 2019, Bennett said: “Nothing is permanent, nothing is temporary, even for coaches. But I have a contract here for next year.”
Asked if he could work alongside Bellamy, whom Bennett first hired as his assistant at the Broncos in 1998, the Broncos veteran coach finally snapped.
“I’m not entering any of your speculation,” he said.
“You have to get on shows and talk for hours and you have nothing to talk about, but you make it up. Whatever it is. You know more than I do. I am coach here next year as far as I know. It could change but that’s what’s happening.
“I didn’t groom Craig for the job here once upon a time.
“If you want talk about the footy, I will leave it at that ... you guys have ruined it.”
Bennett then turned on his heels and headed for the Broncos sheds, but not before starting his press conference by confirming prop Matt Lodge will take on the Storm on Friday night.
The Broncos bookend has rib-cartilage damage but will bravely carry the injury against a monster Storm pack.
“Matt will play,” Bennett said. “He feels he can manage it, he did the other night in Auckland, he’s had a week off now so he’s pretty confident.”
Bennett explained his decision to dump Kodi Nikorima to the bench and stick with a halves pairing of Jack Bird and Anthony Milford.
“Jack brought something different in Auckland,” he said.
“We didn’t plan for that to happen but Kodi was injured and it’s worthwhile persevering with it at the moment.
“It’s tough on Kodi, he didn’t deserve not to be in the team.
“He is still in the 17, he’s a valuable player, we need him, but it was a tough call on him. He was really good, he loves being here and part of the squad. He knows he is valued and there are opportunities for him.
“In team selection, nothing is permanent and nothing is temporary. We are at that stage now where I’ve made another decision and we will see how it works.”
Originally published as Broncos coach Wayne Bennett storms out of weekly media conference
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