Bennett: ‘I’ve been under pressure for 40 years, mate’
Jasper Bruce |
Wayne Bennett is remaining calm as pressure mounts in South Sydney’s dismal season, saying he’s become used to the heat during 40 years in the rugby league coaching furnace.
Bennett insists he has seen signs the Rabbitohs are on the right track despite a horror year of injuries and on-field results that threatens to end with the club’s first wooden spoon since 2006.
Missing eight players to injury, Souths could drop to the bottom of the ladder this weekend if they lose to resurgent Penrith on Friday and Gold Coast beat Wests Tigers on Sunday.
It’s been a far cry from Bennett’s first stint in charge, which ended with a grand-final appearance in 2021.
The results have been enough for media coverage to begin questioning veteran mentor Bennett.
“I’ve spent 40 years under pressure, mate. I don’t feel it. It doesn’t worry me,” he said.
It’s not all doom and gloom from where Bennett is standing, though the coach felt it was inevitable lifting the Rabbitohs up the ladder would take time.
“You can’t click your fingers and think it’s all going to work tomorrow for you. You’ve got to stay true to it and you’ve got to get the players to buy into it. I believe that’s happening,’ he said.
“I know we’re doing the right things and I know we’re on the right track. But we’re not where the top teams are.”
Bennett said Souths’ attitude and their attack had impressed him.
“They’ve been pretty brave, there’s pretty good morale in the place still. We’ve had no crisis meetings, which I’m very pleased about,” he said sardonically.
“Their ball control has improved a great deal, there’s a lot of energy in their games.”
Souths received some rare good news this week with mid-season recruit Brandon Smith likely to miss only two or three more weeks with what had been feared a long-term knee issue.
Veteran playmaker Cody Walker, meanwhile, is four to six weeks away after tearing a calf muscle during his rehabilitation for a hamstring injury.
Campbell Graham, Cameron Murray, Latrell Mitchell, Alex Johnston and Jamie Humphreys are among other key men to have been sidelined in a diabolical season of injuries.
Of the top-30 squad, only Jai Arrow and Keaon Koloamatangi have featured in every game but Bennett shrugged at suggestions Souths may need to review their strength and conditioning or training practices.
“A lot of them have been on the field, they haven’t been training injuries,” he said.
“Cody’s is coming on a rehab run which he’s got to do to get himself back from the hamstring injury and he tears a calf muscle. You can’t blame anybody for that.”
Friday’s clash with Penrith will mark only the fourth NRL game for Englishman Lewis Dodd, recruited on big money to become the Rabbitohs’ new halfback but largely overlooked by Bennett this season.
The coach wants to see some physicality from Dodd when he comes on from the bench for his first NRL game since round nine.
“(He needs to) put his body on the line, he’s a small guy and a lot of big players out there playing against him,’ he said.
“You’ve got to be committed to stopping them and taking them on with the ball. If he does that, I’ll be pleased with him.”
AAP
