Racing: Bennett signing leaves Stone in limbo

Newcastle coach Rick Stone will meet with successor Wayne Bennett in the next few days to resolve his possible NRL future under the seven-time premiership winner.

The Knights yesterday confirmed the recruitment of Bennett on a four-year deal starting next season, his signing leaving a cloud over Stone's role with the Knights.

Bennett said he hoped to work with Stone in some capacity, but after arriving back in Newcastle following Monday night's 17-6 loss to Brisbane, the third-year Knights' mentor said he would have to re-assess his future.

"I consider myself a head coach in the NRL - I may or may not have that opportunity in the near future but I suppose I'll have to wait and sit down, weigh up my options and have a talk to Wayne and see what's best for myself and my staff," Stone said yesterday.

"I've had a good chat with Wayne this morning. I'm going to meet with him hopefully in the next couple of days and sit down and talk a little bit about his plans and some of my own ambitions as well."

Bennett said his decision was based around the vision and passion of new Knights billionaire owner Nathan Tinkler combined with the lifestyle offered by Newcastle and the Hunter region.

It is believed he phoned rival contender South Sydney yesterday to inform them of his decision, having earlier declared this would be his last season with St George Illawarra.

"I sat down with Nathan [Tinkler] and was struck by his passion and knowledge of rugby league," said Bennett in a statement issued by the Tinkler Sports Group.

"He wants our game to capture the imagination of the Hunter like never before - for the Knights to be the benchmark of rugby league in this country.

"That is the type of challenge that appeals to me."

Bennett will now have the chance to become the first coach to win premierships with three different clubs, having won six with Brisbane and one with the Dragons.

- AAP