Wayne Bennett named as Rabbitohs coach for 2020 and 2021 seasons
SOUTH Sydney have pulled off a major coup by snaring Brisbane super coach Wayne Bennett in a sign Rabbitohs rival Anthony Seibold is off to the Broncos.
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SOUTH Sydney have pulled off a major coup by snaring Brisbane super coach Wayne Bennett in a sign Rabbitohs rival Anthony Seibold is off to the Broncos.
In a stunning twist of events, Bennett has agreed to a two-year deal with the Rabbitohs for the 2020-21 seasons as the Broncos ramp-up negotiations with Seibold, who is contracted to Souths for 2019.
Seibold has informed Souths management that his preferred option is to pursue negotiations with the Broncos. He had until 5pm Thursday to accept a contract extension but the Rabbitohs, sensing Seibold would link with the Broncos, made a furtive move to secure Bennett.
The 68-year-old is unwanted by the Broncos for 2020 and has consistently maintained his belief he can coach in the NRL for at least another two years.
Rabbitohs general manager of football, Shane Richardson, says the signing of Bennett is a fillip for the club.
“Wayne is one of the best, if the not the best, rugby league coaches of all-time and we are excited to see what he can bring to our club,” Mr Richardson said.
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“His football record is second-to-none and his reputation as a leader is also of the highest order.
“Here he will have the opportunity to work with some of the best senior and up-and-coming talent in the game, which from our discussions over the past few weeks I know he is excited about.
“He will also have the opportunity to work as a Head Coach with a strong coaching, football and administration staff around him that are all pushing in the one direction, The Rabbitoh Way.
“Anthony (Seibold) has done a great job at our club over the past two years however his hesitance to extend his contract with us, an offer which has been on the table since June, led the club to explore other options.
“We’re looking forward to Wayne becoming a Rabbitoh in 12 months’ time and we wish him the best of luck with the England team in their current Test series with the Kiwis.
“Now we can look forward to season 2019 with the aim of improving our performance on the 2018 season.”
Broncos CEO Paul White has overseen an interview process that has seen four candidates quizzed - Seibold, former Souths coach Michael Maguire, Kevin Walters and current Brisbane assistant Jason Demetriou.
But it is understood Seibold has won the battle.
The development will come as a shattering blow for Walters, the Queensland Origin coach and Brisbane premiership legend who had his heart set on coaching his beloved Broncos.
Seibold has a history with the Broncos, having played lower-grade football for the club. He enjoyed instant success in his NRL coaching debut with the Rabbitohs this year, coaching Souths to the top four and a grand-final qualifier.
Bennett has a great respect for the history of the Rabbitohs and he almost joined the club in 2012.
At the time, Souths CEO Shane Richardson flew to Brisbane to begin negotiations, and met with Bennett at his home, armed with a multi-year deal worth $900,000 a season.
The talks stretched out for most of the day. Such was the promising nature of the dialogue, Richardson headed for Brisbane airport confident his sales pitch had secured Souths’ highest-profile coach since Jack Gibson called the shots in 1978.
But the Rabbitohs’ pursuit unravelled when the Knights entered the bidding war, with Nathan Tinkler’s billions blowing Souths out of the race with a four-year deal.
Now South Sydney have struck, claiming the NRL’s greatest coach.
“I’m truly humbled by the opportunity to coach the South Sydney Rabbitohs,” Bennett said.
“Souths is one of the iconic clubs in the game. I didn’t think I would get this opportunity, but that opportunity has now come for 2020 and 2021.
“I’m really grateful for the chance to be part of the club and I’m looking forward to being part of The Rabbitoh Way.
“I’ve always respected South Sydney and its 30,000 Members, I’m really looking forward to being part of the Rabbitohs family, and I can assure the members that I will do my very best for the club.”
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Originally published as Wayne Bennett named as Rabbitohs coach for 2020 and 2021 seasons