What’s the Buzz: Wayne Bennett has zero interest in NRL launch
WHAT'S THE BUZZ: Wayne Bennett snubbed the NRL season launch and says he’ll never attend one, but rival NRL clubs are furious.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
WAYNE Bennett, the only coach to snub the NRL season launch, says the annual function is such a waste of time and money he’ll never attend one.
A jet-lagged Johnathan Thurston and Paul Green turned up for the Cowboys, despite arriving home from England the day before the function.
The New Zealand Warriors sent their coach, CEO and captain all the way from Auckland. Not only did Bennett brush the launch but the Broncos also refused to send their captain.
“I think they’re a great waste of money,” Bennett said.
What’s the Buzz:Saint, Sinner, Shoosh
“Everyone’s just standing around there.
“They should be giving the money to charity instead to people who really need it.
“I haven’t been to a launch for 10 years and I don’t intend to be going to one any time soon.
“They’re not my go. I’d say the same about the Broncos launch. Give the money to charity.
“The corporate people who attend these functions would probably like to see that happen anyway.”
Rival NRL clubs are furious that there appears to be one rule for the Broncos and another for themselves.
“What would happen if we all didn’t show up,” said one coach.
“We’ve all got busy schedules.”
All out-of-town clubs were there while the Broncos sent centre Jack Reed, who awkwardly stood beside 15 captains for the official photo.
Bennett however insists he made the right decision for his club.
“Besides everything else, I’d coached the All Stars and then went to England,” he said.
“We arrived home on the Tuesday morning and I needed to be with the Broncos.
“That is my number one priority with a Thursday game in week one.
“I promote the game by the way the Broncos play football.”
Being as old-fashioned as he is, Bennett doesn’t understand how the launch actually attracts millions of dollars of nationwide exposure from the stunning image of all captains (bar the Broncos) and the trophy in front of the harbour bridge.
Every TV network and newspaper is all over it.
Also the NRL slashed the costs by 50 per cent this year for a budget launch.
AFL’s grand final rip-off
THIS columnist will never bag NRL ticket prices again. Not when we’re comparing them to the AFL grand final tickets that went on sale last week. You are not going to believe what they are charging. A single category one seat will set you back as much as $2640. Correct: $2640.
The cheapest ticket is $950 for a category six seat at the rear of the top deck of the MCG where you’ll need a box of tissues to stop your nose bleeding.
This is an outrageous money grab in a game where it’s already hard enough to get tickets because last year more than a quarter of sales went to corporates.
Pearce fine adds up to charity win
MITCHELL Pearce’s $75,000 fine will not go to the Roosters or the NRL. It will be donated to a charity and therefore become a tax deduction from his football earnings.
The winners are the Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia and Lifestart, an organisation that runs support programs for youngsters living with disability or developmental delay.
Rio push ends bitter dispute
THE Matildas’ charge towards qualification for Rio has put to bed all the drama of last year’s pay dispute when the players’ association forced the cancellation of games against the US.
In the euphoria of the 3-1 win over archrivals Japan on Monday night, we even spotted soccer boss David Gallop joining the team on the field for the post-match celebrations.
Keary an unhappy Bunny
LUKE Keary is still off at the Rabbitohs. A two-year contract offer was on the table before Christmas but is no longer there. We’re also told he has had little communication with the coaching staff since his pre-season stink with Russell Crowe became public.
This will be denied by Souths but impeccable sources insist it is true. It’s an issue that has split the playing ranks because Keary is tight with most of the players, even more so after standing up to Crowe to defend teammate Cameron McInnes.
It’s interesting Sam Burgess avoided the issue when questioned on Peter Sterling’s show on Fox Sports on Wednesday night. This was a soft interview where a trained journalist was required to keep probing Burgess with tougher questions.
A delicious gesture
IT’S wonderful to see staff at Allianz Stadium doing everything possible to make the match-day experience more affordable for Sunday’s Rabbitohs-Roosters blockbuster.
Anyone who gets to the ground 30 minutes before kick-off will get a 20 per cent discount on food and beverages, excluding alcohol.
This is a win-win idea that will save fans money and from having to stand in long queues in a last-minute rush to get in.
Holy Moses ... it’s Tiger Mitchell the model footballer
WESTS Tigers five-eighth Mitchell Moses could have a career in modelling.
He’s part of a footy player fashion shoot in the March edition of Men’s Style magazine where players from all winter codes are dressed up in designer clothing.
It might be easier too than having to oppose Shaun Johnson in the Campbelltown heat on Saturday afternoon.
A bunker we now dig
WHEN Titans boss and former NRL executive Graham Annesley first raised the idea of a video ref bunker in this newspaper back in 2009, not everyone agreed.
Commentator Phil Gould said back then: “This is really the sort of intelligence our game so badly needs isn’t it? I can’t even give a response to this sort of stupidity.”
In fairness, plenty of others slammed the idea as well as a waste of NRL resources.
Originally published as What’s the Buzz: Wayne Bennett has zero interest in NRL launch
Australia’s oldest-living Kangaroo dies aged 94
Newtown and NSW player and Australia’s first captain-coach Dick Poole passed away surrounded by family at his Ashfield nursing home.
Ponga linked with bombshell NRL defection
Kalyn Ponga is at the centre of a shock poaching raid as a $2m carrot is dangled in front of the Newcastle Knights superstar.