Wayne Bennett. Photo / Getty Images
The New Zealand Rugby League appears to be veering away from suggestions former Aussie coach Wayne Bennett be brought in to assist Kiwis coach Gary Kemble.
Director of football Graham Lowe met Kemble mid-week to set out the questions the NZRL wanted answered and the process of the
tour review.
Kemble will now prepare a briefing paper which Lowe will review and comment on before reporting to NZRL manager Peter Cordtz, who will advise the board. Lowe expected to have his report to management within two weeks.
"Gary gave a good insight into how he thought things went, and it was quite enlightening," Lowe said yesterday.
"It was a troubled time in many ways, and Gary was between a rock and a hard place," Lowe said, agreeing the lack of experienced players had cost them dearly.
"He wasn't making any excuses. I was pleased with how it went."
On Bennett being brought in: "No, I don't think so. I'm waiting to see what Gary comes back with, and if he thought that would work we would obviously consider it. But at this stage it's unfair to Gary to talk about it."
The NZRL has begun its review of the troubled Great Britain tour with early feedback gathered by management supporting the coaching staff over the players.
The NZRL board meets today ahead of the opening of a new museum of league at its Penrose HQ tomorrow and the annual end-of-year awards.
Early financial details from the tour are expected to be tabled by chairman Andrew Chalmers in response to queries from the districts, though the full result is not expected to be known until next year. Also of interest is the 2008 budget, to include many changes from past seasons given the change to competitions after the Bartercard Cup.
The Kiwis have just one potential earner next season, the centennial test against the Australians to celebrate their 100th anniversary in the game in Sydney next May.World Cup profits to go back to the International Federation.
Expired sponsorships are yet to be re-signed.
