Re: Bennett must be sacked now! : Wed Nov 13, 2019 8:08 am  

As a sport that is falling behind others domestically and is trying to build its international profile, having a guy in charge of the National side who doesn’t want to engage with the media or support is really poor. If his results were amazing then he’d be let off to a degree but as soon as a bad run of results has come, he was always going to get the backlash.

We need a full time coach in the run up to the Ashes and World Cup. Somebody who is not only a good coach but who will engage with the media because we need that to build towards the next two years. We need them to be able to take up every invite to appear on tv or radio, to speak to the UK press on a regular basis and to engage with fans at big events like the Cup final and Grand final.

Re: Bennett must be sacked now! : Wed Nov 13, 2019 10:16 am  

Even given the world cup run, I don't think Bennett has done anything we would not have done under McNamara. In 6 seasons with England McNamara played 5 and lost them all against the Aussies, some disappointingly wide and a couple very close, and we played 7 and won 3 against New Zealand, including a test series. In 4 seasons with England/GB Bennett has played 3 and lost them all against the Aussies, two close, one not, and played 7, won 3 against New Zealand, including a test series. Also, while Bennett's teams ran the Aussies closest, none of McNamara's teams were ever hammered by the Kiwis the way we were in the 3rd test last year, or even in the 2nd test this year. I have seen absolutely no evidence of forward progress under Bennett and want him gone. The point about engaging with the media is fair as well. I would be happy with Wane or Powell, should either of them want the job and I think, if Wane really wants an NRL job, a successful crack at England/GB is the only way he will get the chance.

Re: Bennett must be sacked now! : Wed Nov 13, 2019 6:12 pm  

tyr wrote:

Even given the world cup run, I don't think Bennett has done anything we would not have done under McNamara. In 6 seasons with England McNamara played 5 and lost them all against the Aussies, some disappointingly wide and a couple very close, and we played 7 and won 3 against New Zealand, including a test series. In 4 seasons with England/GB Bennett has played 3 and lost them all against the Aussies, two close, one not, and played 7, won 3 against New Zealand, including a test series. Also, while Bennett's teams ran the Aussies closest, none of McNamara's teams were ever hammered by the Kiwis the way we were in the 3rd test last year, or even in the 2nd test this year. I have seen absolutely no evidence of forward progress under Bennett and want him gone. The point about engaging with the media is fair as well. I would be happy with Wane or Powell, should either of them want the job and I think, if Wane really wants an NRL job, a successful crack at England/GB is the only way he will get the chance.

I agree with all of that, except Powell!

Re: Bennett must be sacked now! : Thu Nov 14, 2019 9:06 am  

moto748 wrote:

I agree with all of that, except Powell!

I get that he's not everyone's cup of tea, and he probably wouldn't do much for improving the media engagement! But he has had his team playing with flair and creativity for several years and he has also made the most of limited resources - I think that is a useful ability at international level, where you can't just transfer in players from other clubs. I would throw Watson into the mix as well but I think, what he has done for one season, Powell has basically been doing for several. I have also seen Danny Ward's name being mentioned in the media but would rather see him as an assistant if he were to be involved at this stage of his career.

On another point, I see a lot of people referencing pride, passion and determination, which I think is a dangerous blind alley. Every time England (or GB in this case) disappoint people start looking for someone to get some passion into the players. It's not about passion, or the coach's nationality. It's about ability, tactical awareness and smarts on the pitch. In the case of our players at the moment, it is about better ball movement, better last tackle options, not giving away stupid penalties and not making handling errors in crucial areas of the pitch. In the case of our coach, it is about selecting players in the right positions, making sure that there is balance in the squad and pace in the team and taking off his blinkers with regard to player selection, both in assuming that playing in the NRL automatically elevates a player beyond playing in Super League, and in showing loyalty to players who are no longer up to the job.

As well as Bennett going, we really need to see the following:

Chris Hill - gone. He did really well when he broke into the England team but he is now past his prime and no longer offers enough for test level.

James Graham - also gone. Still a really good player but his performances have not been at the right level at test level for a while. He has been a champion player for his country, no doubt, but the time should be up now and, also, he needs to think about prolonging his club career at this stage. I also don't think he is the right choice as captain.

Josh Hodgson - should still definitely be in the squad for me but there is no doubt that he has been comprehensively outshone by both Roby and Clark for the last few seasons. Given Roby's age, Clark should absolutely be our number one hooker at the moment.

Ryan Hall - another player who has been outstanding over the years but he is done now, at this level. His pace is gone and he has clearly not played enough this season.

Gareth Widdop - I am not saying there is no place for him, he has been a great player at times but pick him on form, not just reputation. This tour he has offered nothing and I think he has stifled his halfback partner by controlling what little ball the forwards allow the backs.

Bring Liam Watts in for heaven's sake! I know people have some reservations but we will never know unless he gets a chance. Other players that ought to be in and around the mix - Regan Grace, Josh Charnley, Sam Tomkins, Mark Percival, Reece Lyne (I know he has his detractors as well but we are crying out for centres), Ryan Sutton and probably more. We also desperately need a replacement for O'Loughlin to link the forwards to the backs. If it can't be done from loose forward it needs to come from somewhere.

Finally, if Bennett is insisting on using this to build for the World Cup, what the heck are some of those older players I have mentioned doing in the squad?

Re: Bennett must be sacked now! : Thu Nov 14, 2019 9:42 pm  

If Bennett stays on I honestly think we may see Hodgson made captain yet he’s had another horrendous series as an international player. He should be done along with McGillvary,Hill, Hall and sadly Graham with next years Ashes squad being freshened up. A lot will depend on how players form in 2020 stacks up but certainly guys like Watts, Johnstone, Smithies and Knowles will be in the reckoning you’d imagine.

Re: Bennett must be sacked now! : Fri Nov 15, 2019 2:11 pm  

George Williams has now been named in the 17 for tomorrows game v PNG, better late than never I guess.

Re: Bennett must be sacked now! : Fri Nov 15, 2019 2:37 pm  

Where does it show you the named.

Re: Bennett must be sacked now! : Fri Nov 15, 2019 4:43 pm  

Ashton Bears wrote: Where does it show you the named. Here: https://www.totalrl.com/george-williams ... d-for-png/

Ashton Bears wrote: Where does it show you the named. Here: https://www.totalrl.com/george-williams ... d-for-png/

Re: Bennett must be sacked now! : Fri Nov 15, 2019 6:01 pm  

Kennedy wrote: Here: https://www.totalrl.com/george-williams ... d-for-png/ Thanks

Kennedy wrote: Here: https://www.totalrl.com/george-williams ... d-for-png/ Thanks

Re: Bennett must be sacked now! : Fri Nov 15, 2019 6:33 pm  

It's in either the sun or the star that Hodgson is saying Bennett to stay on for the world cup,get rid now and get a young forward thinking coach in that gives 2 years to get it right