NRL trials 2023: Wayne Bennett reveals reasons for Dolphins-Cowboys no-show

Wayne Bennett has defended his decision not to attend the Dolphins’ first major NRL trial, citing several reasons for his Cairns no-show.

Reece Walsh, Brisbane Broncos training, Red Hill. Picture: Liam Kidston

Wayne Bennett has defended his decision not to attend the Dolphins’ first major NRL trial, insisting the new franchise is always his “priority”.

The super coach came under fire for his Sunday ‘no show’ from sections of the rugby league community after Bennett chose to stay at home and watch the Dolphins-Cowboys pre-season hitout on Fox Sports.

It was the Dolphins’ historic first appearance against an NRL team after taking on the Central Queensland Capras the week previous, with Bennett’s chief assistant Kristian Woolf handed the reins for the Cowboys clash.

But when contacted by News Corp, Bennett was mystified by the controversy, outlining several reasons why he was absent for the Dolphins-Cowboys clash in Cairns.

In his 35-year NRL coaching career, Bennett has traditionally passed the baton to his assistants for opening trials before taking charge for the final hitout of the pre-season, which he will do this Sunday against the Titans.

In this instance, Bennett said he had a Monday morning training session scheduled with several NRL top liners who did not play against the Cowboys, including skipper Jesse Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi.

Dolphins assistant coach Kristian Woolf. Picture: Brendan Radke

Wayne Bennett was mystified by the backlash. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“My priority is to the Dolphins,” Bennett said.

“We had some issues with flights (getting home early from Cairns) and I wanted to make sure I was here at Redcliffe to be coaching the rest of the NRL players who didn’t play against the Cowboys.

“There’s no issue at my end.”

Dolphins CEO Terry Reader rubbished suggestions Bennett is not committed to the NRL’s 17th team, saying the 73-year-old took part in ambassadorial work during a recent trip to the Queensland country town of Gladstone.

“There is nothing new about Wayne not being in the coaching box for the early trials,” Reader said.

“He has always made it part of the development path for assistant coaches that they take control of the team during the first two trial matches.

“Nathan Fien was head coach last week in Gladstone and Kristian Woolf was (on Sunday night), as was planned.

“Wayne has been doing this for decades but I also think some people might have forgotten that 12 of our senior players that did not play were on the field with Wayne for training at 7am (on Monday morning) back at Redcliffe.

“It is also important to point out that our first game as an NRL entity was actually last week in Gladstone which the Dolphins hosted in partnership with the Capras.

“People might not know that Wayne went to Gladstone last week with the team and attended multiple community and corporate activities with and for the Dolphins and CQ Capras given our commitment to the partnership and region.

“Wayne also went to the stadium early to watch the Dolphins under-16, under-18s and under-19s women’s teams play before the Dolphins NRL game which he watched from the grandstand.

“Wayne will be back in the coaches box as planned this week where those senior players will play in our main trial against the Titans on Sunday at Kayo Stadium.”

LIKES

DETERMINED DOLPHINS

While they were scrappy with the ball at times, what couldn’t be doubted was the Dolphins’ effort as they looked solid in defence and scrambled well when they had to.

Ray Stone’s bone-jarring tackles were a highlight while Euan Aitken’s 100m chase of a runaway Robert Derby was inspirational.

One certainty is Bennett will have the Dolphins playing for each other in 2023, which is a solid start for a club lacking star power.

The Dolphins trailed until the 74th minute when emerging star Mason Teague scored, but they couldn’t hang on as the Cowboys salvaged a draw with 25 seconds left.

Taniela Sadrugu of the Cowboys tackled during the trial against the Dolphins. Picture: Emily Barker/Getty Images

CLASSY KATOA

The Dolphins have snared a future NRL star in halfback Isaiya Katoa.

The Penrith product looks like he is ready for the top grade and it won’t be long before he makes his NRL debut.

While he made a couple of errors, Katoa wants to be involved in the game and isn’t afraid to chance his arm.

He will mature in time, but Dolphins fans should be excited about having Katoa at their club.

COWBOY CAROUSEL

North Queensland coach Todd Payten rested all of his big guns, with James Tamou (305) and Ben Hampton (116) the only players with more than 100 games of NRL experience.

But that gave the Cowboys an opportunity to showcase the immense young talent coming through the club.

The Cowboys have some sensational young guns in two-try winger Robert Derby, livewire utility Tom Chester, Australian Schoolboys halfback Tom Duffy and hard-hitting Riley Price, son of Queensland great Steve Price.

The future is bright for the Cowboys following last year’s preliminary finals loss and they should be right in the 2023 NRL premiership race.

DISLIKES

WHERE’S WAYNE?

The Dolphins said Bennett didn’t make the trip to Cairns because his assistant Kristian Woolf had been handed the clipboard for the game.

It’s not unusual for an assistant coach to oversee a trial match, but the head coach is usually in attendance and it was a strange decision given it was the first time the Dolphins took the field as an NRL club.

News Corp asked Bennett via text message why he didn’t make the trip to Cairns but had not received a reply at the time of publication.

Wayne Bennett was MIA from the Dolphins’ first game. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

MESSY MILF

Dolphins five-eighth Anthony Milford is entering the most pivotal season of his career and it’s time he stood up.

Milford went missing for most of the match and was sin-binned on the stroke of halftime for a professional foul as the teenage Katoa took charge of the Dolphins.

Milford didn’t fire up until the final quarter of the game when he lifted his intensity in defence and produced a nice kick for Brenton Baira to score.

If the Dolphins are to have any chance this year they need 206-game Milford to stand up.

DUSTY DOLPHINS

The Dolphins picked up a couple of injuries to fringe players.

Emerging hooker Harrison Graham was sharp out of dummy-half before aggravating a knee problem.

Backrower Tyler Szepanowski has been impressive during the pre-season but limped off early in the second half.

Veteran prop Jarrod Wallace was also placed on report for a shoulder charge.

Find your mongrel: Walters wants Walsh to muscle up on last line

— Peter Badel

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has challenged Reece Walsh to find his mongrel in defence as the Broncos prepare to unleash their star fullback recruit in Sunday night’s derby trial against the Titans.

Back at Red Hill after a two-year stint at the Warriors, Walsh will make his much-vaunted return to Broncos colours in Brisbane’s first major pre-season hitout against the Gold Coast at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Reece Walsh during Brisbane Broncos training. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The 20-year-old caught the eye in his 38-game tenure at the Warriors with his attacking flair, but Walters wants Walsh to muscle up without the ball as a key member of Brisbane’s playmaking spine.

The Queensland Origin hopeful had an indifferent 2022 campaign, often being exposed with his last-line efforts, and Walters believes for Walsh to find his mojo in attack, he must first deliver consistency and solidity in defence.

“I just want Reece to be himself,” Walters said of Walsh, who will wear the No.1 jumper against the Titans.

“Reece is very good in attack and likes to be involved as much as he can, but defensively there are some areas where he needs to do some work and it starts for him against the Titans.

“I was always aware of Reece’s talent, but it’s up to him now to get out there and do it.

“He has had a full pre-season with us and he has been able to showcase his skills.

“The key is to get his defensive work and communication right, picking the moment and going after it.”

A genuine match-winner on his day, Walsh is viewed as the attacking X-factor to propel Brisbane to the finals in 2023 after last season’s stunning collapse, but Walters is tempering the hype surrounding the Broncos Academy whizkid.

“We just have to keep it simple for Reece,” Walters said.

“It’s a big season ahead for all of us, particularly Reece coming back to the club, so we are taking small steps and we will build his game over the next four to six weeks.

“If we can keep it nice and simple for him, that’s the best way to get Reece to where he wants to go.”

Brisbane Broncos head coach Kevin Walters. Picture: Jerad Williams

The Broncos have named a star-studded line-up for the trial with 11 top-liners to face the Titans, including stand-in skipper Payne Haas, centre duo Kotoni Staggs and Herbie Farnworth and front-row recruit Martin Taupau.

Walters is particularly keen to road test his hookers, with starting rake Cory Paix, Billy Walters and former Storm schemer Tyson Smoothy locked in a three-way battle for the No.9 jumper for round one.

“It’s horses for courses, there is not much between all three of them,” Walters said.

“Tyson Smoothy will get some time, he has been impressive in pre-season, so that (hooking role) is one of the jumpers that is wide open at this stage.

“We need a little bit of creativity out of dummy half from our nines - this is an opportunity for them to showcase their skills.”