Steve Renouf sums up fan frustration as he calls for Broncos to end the coach swap saga with South Sydney

With talks ongoing between Brisbane and South Sydney for Wayne Bennett and Anthony Seibold to immediately swap clubs, Steve Renouf has called on the Broncos to get the deal done.

It is reasonable to ask why the deal can’t be done now. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

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Broncos legend Steve Renouf has called on the club to end the Wayne Bennett saga as the NRL outlined plans to crack down on coach poaching.

Bennett has left his staff in the dark as to when, if at all, he will return to Red Hill after finishing his commitments with the England Test team earlier this week.

Secret talks between representatives of the major players are underway to clear the way for Bennett and South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold to immediately swap clubs.

An agreement has yet to be reached, however that situation could rapidly change given both clubs’ private desire to cut ties with their current coaches.

It is reasonable to ask why the deal can’t be done now. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Bennett, 68, has signed a two-year deal to coach the Rabbitohs from 2020 while Seibold had committed to a four-year tenure at Brisbane, also from 2020.

Both clubs have commenced pre-season training.

Seibold fronted for Rabbitohs training this week despite the likelihood he will not be there beyond Christmas.

A defiant Bennett has insisted he is committed to coaching the Broncos next season, however that will not transpire if a palatable agreement can be reached.

Renouf, who scored 142 tries for the Broncos, urged the club to finalise the matter so it could focus on next year’s premiership campaign.

”The Pearl” doesn’t want it to drag on any longer. (David Kapernick)

“They need to call it and get on with it,” he said.

“There is a lot of money in a sacking. You’d like to think it wouldn’t come to that.

“There could be just a clean swap done and we’ll see Anthony here next year.

“It is a bit frustrating, mainly for the fans to be honest.”

Seibold has already expressed his frustration. (Monique Harmer)

The likely Bennett-Seibold swap would be the biggest move in a hectic coaching carousel which has seen the Tigers (Michael Maguire), Panthers (Ivan Cleary) and Sea Eagles (Des Hasler) sign new coaches.

At a meeting of club CEOs and the league on Wednesday, it was agreed the NRL would look to introduce rules to prevent clubs from poaching contracted coaches.

“I’d describe it as a unique period of the game’s history,” said NRL chief Todd Greenberg.

“I haven’t seen it before but it’s something I need to look carefully at to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“What we have seen is impacts on clubs, fans and supporters with the recent changes in coaches. We’d be crazy not to look into it.

“There is 16 coaches and they play a significant role in the game. They are leaders in the sport.

“I’m not going to go around and change a rule without having a discussion with them.

“I want to hear their views. It doesn’t mean I’ll agree with them or do what they suggest, but I’d be crazy to not listen to such a significant part of the game.”

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