Wayne Bennett named Australian Coach
by
Tuesday February 24, 2004
Source: http://foxsports.news.com.au/league/

Broncos and Queensland Coach Wayne Bennett has been named the new coach of the Australian Rugby League team in 2004, after Chris Anderson was voted out by the Australian Rugby League board. Anderson who has been the national coach since 1999, has a tremendous record with fifteen wins from eighteen matches, including a three nil test series win against Great Britain in 2003.

Bennett told The Daily Telegraph yesterday that it's something I've wanted to do ever since I realised I might have a future in coaching. Bennett has coached the national side twice in the past, both in 1998 as he took over from Bob Fulton who was experiencing personal issues in his life.

The most encouraging aspect about Bennett being appointed Australian coach is in the way he feels about the international game. Bennett told AAP that "part of the reason I wanted to do this job now is to be part of rebuilding of the game internationally", and gave indications that he would be in for the long haul stating that it could take up to fifteen years.

Australia's Anzac test against New Zealand will be Bennett?s first match at the helm of the Kangaroos in 2004, with the match scheduled to be played at Marathon Stadium in Newcastle.