Not really the votes were in whilst the rhinos were winning

Anyway, he's 33 now, so he's hardly the future, either way.

I'm surprised but pleased. He'll have the respect of his team and perhaps most importantly he's a great psychological coach, who may get England to play to their absolute best and with no fear, which they need to do to have a chance of beating Australia when it counts.

If everyone is fit we have our best squad in a long time, with half back the glaring weakness. Having said that if Widdopp picks his game up we could be down to one halfback as a problem in the first 17. Compared to teams we've put out in the last decade that is a huge improvement.

Sadly, I'm not convinced that Widdop is a better option than several in SL. Cooper Cronk doesn't win many games by outstanding individual ability, but he wins plenty by doing the simple things well and precisely. Which is exactly what's needed.

I'm not that convinced by Widdopp either, which is why I caveat with saying its important that he kicks on. The good news is that Bennett will see plenty of him in action for St George this year.

The bad news is I'm not sure how much Bennett will know about the likes of Alex Walmsley, Ben Currie & Stevie Ward etc.

At a guess, probably not much at the moment. But I imagine he'll tune in to most SL games this year, whilst also having some coaches who work here on his staff reporting back to him. It'll be fine, this is Wayne Bennett we're talking about. He won't have achieved what he has by leaving massive gaps in his knowledge, he'll know more about SL than we do by the end of March.

Great to have such a highly qualified coach who's experience of winning at the top of the game. Think England have greatly improved since McNamara took over but he's gone as far as he can. For me the weak point against NZ was the game plan & coach's tactics. In the game at DW played by the numbers 5 drives for ~50 min, played properly and scored twice for 10 min the went back to McNamara's dull by the numbers game plan and allowed the Kiwis back into it.

Would be great to get a top English coach as his assistant to be trained up. Powell would be good, I'd have been quite happy for Powell to get the main job, he was the key to Fev's success, went to a struggling Cas and instantly made the a good team, lost his best players and did it again. McDermott would also be good as an England coach however don't think he needs much more mentoring & experience, it's probably better for the international game as a whole if he sticks with the USA for the World Cup. I'd have liked Rowley to do it as he had great promise as a coach but the way he quit Leigh for personal reasons suggests his mind isn't in RL at the minute.

I don't particularly rate Wane, think he's carried by his excellent team. For me w!g@n's greatest strength are their backs, Wane's tactics seem to be very forwards dominated and it's just the players know they're good enough to disregard his game plan when they see a chance. If Wane was in charge of a struggling team I think he'd really struggle. Anyone involved with England needs to have proved themselves with a struggling club as Powell has done at Fev & Cas, McDermott did at London & Rowley did when he first took over at Leigh.

When the players do well, it's the players. When the players do badly, it's the coach.

Was and ever will be thus.

I'd be quite happy with Paul Rowley being appointed his assistant. Given that he's without a club atm, he'll be able to scout properly on behalf of WB and will get a few tips to help him in his own coaching career.

If we’re appointing an English assistant it has to be Powell who has proved he is up to the job. Rowley isn’t as experienced as Powell having not ever coached in SL.

we should have as many coaches as possible working along side him. The likes of Powell,Wane and McDermott, all 3 whom i would say have to be in contention to succeed Bennett after the next WC, could learn a great deal from one of the best coaches ever.