Wayne Bennett, Phil Gould unite at charity lunch amid NRL rule row

Wayne Bennett and Phil Gould have seemingly had a tempestuous relationship over the years, recently clashing over a proposed NRL rule change - but will they see eye-to-eye on the contentious mooted law.

Phil Gould and Wayne Bennett have a discussion at a charity event on Wednesday.

Where better to break bread than over a lavish lunch in aid of charity? While NRL club bosses were meeting on Wednesday at Rugby League Central to discuss the state of the game and NRL’s immediate priorities, seven-time premiership winner Wayne Bennett and Bulldogs head of football Phil Gould were holding court in the city at a shindig in honour of the Cure the Future Foundation.

Having had a recent difference of opinion over changes to the kick-off rules, there was nothing but love and respect between the rugby league giants on Wednesday afternoon.

Bennett was on stage for nearly an hour as his son-in-law Ben Ikin conducted a question-and-answer session with the South Sydney mentor on leadership and what keeps him going at the age of 75.

Bennett, who returned to Rabbitohs training to take charge of pre-season this week, insisted he was as driven as ever. If he found himself struggling to get out of bed in the morning, he conceded he would draw the curtain on the game’s most celebrated coaching career.

Phil Gould and Wayne Bennett break bread after their row over a proposed rule change.

Bennett hasn’t reached that point as he chases an elusive eighth premiership. Then Gould took over and showered praise on Bennett as he spoke about his impact on the game and rugby league’s capacity to change lives.

The pair have seemingly had a tempestuous relationship over the years but there appeared to be nothing but respect between them as they caught up for a quick chat as the lunch came to an end.

Their meeting came as club chief executives met in Sydney where they discussed a range of issues including the state of the game and the NRL’s future priorities.

That meeting came a day after ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys hosted a rules summit involving Bennett as well as coaching counterparts Craig Bellamy, Michael Maguire, Ivan Cleary and Ricky Stuart.

V’landys was tightlipped after the meeting but the sense was that the coaches want as little tinkering as possible over the off-season.

Bennett, however, has spoken in support of changes to the kick-off rule that would allow the defending team to have a choice between kicking off or receiving the ball after conceding a try.

Under the game’s current rules, the team that concedes a try or goal restarts play. However, Bennett is among those who believe there should be an option to receive the ball.

Gould lashed the concept on social media last month, claiming whoever came up with the idea should be “publicly whipped.” He described it as a rubbish idea and claimed it was a disaster when it was tried previously.

Bennett responded on the pages of his masthead but there doesn’t appear to be any lingering ill-will between two of the most senior members of rugby league’s cognoscenti.

Meanwhile, club bosses have heard a presentation from Perth Bears chief executive Anthony de Ceglie on Wednesday afternoon as the NRL’s newest franchise closes in on more player signings - it is understood Penrith back rower Liam Henry has now toured their WA headquarters as he prepares to sign on the dotted line.

Originally published as Wayne Bennett, Phil Gould unite at charity lunch amid NRL rule row