I think it's a good decision to retain Bennett.

Whist it's fair to say Bennett's knowledge of Superleague isn't perfect because he's based in Aus; The flipside of that argument is that other potential candidates, Powell, Wane, Radford, McDermott for example, don't have the NRL knowledge. Bennett does. I think that's key to the England role, in an International game where the sides we have to beat come from the NRL, we need someone with experience of that comp, who studies it, who knows the opposition (Aus, NZ, Tonga) inside out. Not only does he have that experience, but he knows how to win.

Yes, there were 2 or 3 selections for the world cup that were strange. I spent the flight home from Aus in December dissecting and over-analysing the WC, but despite those strange selections, we were still an ankle tap or a killer pass/kick away from winning it, on Aussie soil. I'm still gutted about it now, but ultimately he set the side up to win, and we should've won - I hold certain players to account for that more than I do Bennett.

For me he's the best coach in the world that is available to England. The more time he gets under his belt with our players between now & 2021 the better.

+1

Wayne Bennett is the best man for the job and the correct decision has been made to keep him as England coach.

The last person to have contact with the ball after the contact was Fifita, it went forward from his hands, ergo it was a knock on, end of story.

In any case, Tongan's made not only death threats to Cecchin and his family but the sick feckers sent messages to his son saying there was a bounty on his head and more homophobic attacks.
The King of Tonga should have stepped in straight off and said something but didn't, it kind of sums up how these animals (the ones making the threats) think.

Andrew Fafita to his credit had made calls to stop this and yet still late into December Cecchin and his family were being hounded, he's had to change all his online account names and much more.
IF that is how they are going to react to a clear and very obvious decision then Tonga should be banned from international rugby until their government can get their together and start prosecuting these animals.
Or do you think death threats are an acceptable part of being a referee and we should all move on with a laugh and a joke about it?

anyhow back to England Coaching.......

Can't help but feel sorry for Mark Percival.

Hang on a minute, i have never mentioned (or gone remotely anywhere near the topic) of the death threats, so why would you question if i think they are acceptable or a joke? What an absolutely idiotic comment. I questioned a referee decision and said he should have gone to the screen, and all of a sudden you are going of on one at me for no reason what so ever. Get a grip.

That escalated very quickly didn't it

Wayne Bennett showed at the World Cup he is willing to change his team selection. Mark Percival needs to force his way into the side, he will have competition from Oliver Gildart and Liam Sutcliffe for the 2nd centre spot.

Liam Sutcliffe? How I wish.

As long as he's learnt that Bateman offers absolutely nothing there, with or without the ball.

Its funny that when people talk about omissions from the squad they basically talk about forwards, where we're already very strong. There were no omissions from the squad in the backs that would have made an iota of difference except for Hardaker who Bennett couldn't pick. Tomkins hadn't got into the kind of physical shape required, and after him who would realistically have made a positive difference at all?

As for the team once playing, the only pick I do question is to use Percival in the centres, as our lack of attacking punch was the problem in the Final.

What Bennett did bring was the best defence we've probably ever had, and a mindset of at least believing we deserved to be on the same field as the Aussies. I really can't see any way a different coach would have done better at all.

I'd rather have had Shenton than Bateman in the centre.

and Shaul at full back instead of Lomax and Ratchford enabling us to leave Widdop at 6

Having Hodgson & O'Loughlin available in the final would've been nice too.