Why Wayne Bennett should coach the 17th NRL team

Why should Wayne Bennett be appointed coach of the 17th NRL team in 2023? Karmichael Hunt explains why.

Wayne Bennett would sprinkle his star dust and attract elite players to Queensland’s new NRL team if he was appointed to head up its entry into the competition in 2023.

That is the opinion of former Broncos and dual international Karmichael Hunt.

Hunt knows Bennett well, and also knows the pros and cons of being involved in a start-up organisation after playing with the Gold Coast Suns during the club’s entry into the AFL.

Just as he was head hunted to coach the Brisbane Broncos first ever side in 1988, Bennett, 71, is being mooted as a coaching option should, as expected, a 17th team be granted an NRL licence.

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“I have been in a footie start up in the AFL (the Suns) and I guess the one thing about Wayne, one of the many things he brings, is that players would want to sign with the new club to play for him because he is a proven coach who knows how to get the best out of his team and who gets results on the field’’ Hunt said.

“If star players from other teams were looking to make the jump up to the new franchise, Wayne would probably be the best figure head you could have for signings.

“And he would have the best staff around him.’’

Karmichael Hunt, pictured with Souths Logan head coach Steven Bretherton, is making a league comeback this season.(Image/Josh Woning)

When Bennett was appointed Broncos’ coach for the 1988 season he was able to secure the foundation of the Queensland State of Origin side while also adding rising Sydney rookies like Chris Johns and Terry Matterson to the roster.

Bennett’s presence also helped snare the next generation of teen stars like Steve Renouf and Michael Hancock.

Maroons coach Wayne Bennett looks on after winning game three of the State of Origin series. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Hunt, who last week announced he would make a rugby league comeback at Souths Logan, said Bennett may be aged 71, but one of his great strengths was connecting with every generation he has encountered on his coaching journey.

Exhibit A in evidence was the manner in which he took a rookie Queensland State of Origin side to a series win in November while he has South Sydney as a top 4 operative in the NRL.

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“It never ceases to amazing me how he operates.’’

“He knows what it takes,’’ Hunt said.

“I think the thing that amazes me with Wayne is that irrespective of his age, he has still been able to connect with every generation that has come through.

“I get asked all the time about Wayne and the one underlining factor which I believe allows him to have that success is that he sees everyone on a human level, first and foremost.

(LR) Latrell Mitchell, Wayne Bennett and new signing Benji Marshall at training for South Sydney. Picture: Adam Yip

“He is able to connect with everyone. It does not matter about your background or what school you went to, he will connect with you and try and get the best out of you.

Hunt sort Bennett’s advice several years ago when he first thought about transitioning from playing to coach and it was Bennett who recommended Hunt to Souths Logan for the 2021 season where Hunt will play on – while also gathering coaching experience around the Magpies.

Wayne Bennett during one of his two coaching stints at the Broncos. Photo Steve Pohner

Hunt said it would be a dream to possibly be on Bennett’s coaching staff in 2023.

“My long term aim is to get into coaching and forge a career out of that,’’ Hunt said.

“Whether that is coaching under Wayne, or Wayne being retired and him being a mentor, we will have to wait and see.’’