Broncos coach concerned ongoing drama is a distraction for players

WAYNE Bennett is concerned the ongoing coaching saga at the Broncos is a distraction for his players as they fight to keep their finals hopes alive against the Rabbitohs.

Wayne Bennett at Broncos training. Photo: Annette Dew

WAYNE Bennett is concerned the ongoing coaching saga at the Broncos is a distraction for his players as they fight to keep their finals hopes alive against the Rabbitohs tomorrow night.

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Brisbane’s showdown with South Sydney is shaping as a must-win match after back-to-back losses to the Bulldogs and Cowboys placed their chances of a top-eight finish under threat.

The Broncos are sitting in eighth place, but the Tigers loom just two points behind.

With speculation also rife that Bennett could be shown the door at the end of the season by CEO Paul White and the Broncos board, Brisbane is under immense pressure to produce a win against an in-form Rabbitohs outfit.

Wayne Bennett at Broncos training today. Photo: Annette Dew

While Bennett today praised his playing group for how they have handled constant speculation around his future, he admitted he was worried about how it could affect them on the field.

“Any distraction is a concern for me,” he said.

“It’s not what good football teams need. The boys are handling it great, I think they’ve been wonderful with it. But the bottom line is it’s not what you want.

“That’s why I’ve always tried to avoid it and worked really hard in my coaching life to make sure it doesn’t happen to teams that I’m part of.”

Despite his concern, Bennett said the players were not discussing the situation, including The Courier-Mail’s revelations that skipper Darius Boyd opted to go to Bennett’s house last Friday instead of a club function at White’s house.

Darius Boyd and Wayne Bennett at Broncos training today. Photo: Annette Dew

He said tomorrow night’s game was a massive task because of South Sydney’s recent form, which has them sitting in second place.

“No one’s talked about the barbecue, we just get on with life,” Bennett said.

“I was proud the boys were strong enough in their own way to stand for what they believed in. It’s no big deal, it was no big deal on the night, it was never talked about.

“(Tomorrow night) is a challenge because of the quality of the team we’re playing.”

Brisbane trained well today despite the off-field dramas and appeared to be in high spirits at the start of the session.

Bennett said they would take the field as named on Tuesday, with Jordan Kahu to return at left centre.

Jordan Kahu is back in the Broncos side. Photo: AAP

Kahu was dropped last week and, while he did not play in the Intrust Super Cup, he has already been recalled as Bennett felt the Kiwi international had taken on board feedback around his form.

“He’s back in the side,” Bennett said of Kahu.

“I gave him a week to think about where he’s been and I think it’s been good for him. He looks like he’s really keen to be back in the side.

“He does add something to us and that’s what I want him to bring.”