Reveals Alex McKinnon moment almost made him quit NRL coaching

Bennett credited a 5th-grade Christian Brothers teacher at school with setting the course for his life.

“He cared about everyone in the class and his favorite saying was, ‘If I didn’t challenge you, I failed,’ and I coach like he taught us in 5th grade,” she said. “We are all equal. He treated us all the same. He had a huge impact.”

The seven-time NRL championship-winning coach also spoke about the importance of selecting the right player, assistant or staff member.

“My biggest fear is choosing the wrong person,” he said. “There’s one person, now I need to find a way to move that person. I’m not going to read your resume because I’ve given so many references to people I don’t like. So I’m going to call someone at work and check on you.”

“I’d rather work with 10 guys who are doing their best than 13 or 15 guys who don’t care at all. You won’t be a part of my life. And if you employ too many people, they’ll sit around complaining about you all day because they have nothing to do. They all think they can do the job better than you.”

Bennett was sitting across the table from the president of the Papua New Guinea Chiefs Ray Dib – who he’s associated with – and has given no indication he’ll be quitting anytime soon.

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“I’ll know at 5:30 in the morning that I don’t want to get out of bed,” Bennett said. “I loved being at training this morning. Nobody is going to tell me when to retire. I’ll make my own decision.”

Dragons fly towards Keaon

Dragons roll out red carpet for Kangaroos and South Sydney forwards Keaon Koloamatangi They are trying to sign a contract with him. They put him on a helicopter; They flew him from Sydney to Wollongong, probably as part of their sales pitch to show him they meant business.

It’s a sign that things are changing at Red V under the president’s leadership andrew lancaster and CEO Tim Wattsford. The Dragons have heard the noise that they are no longer seen as a heavyweight club and are trying to change that image. The club has missed a lot of players in recent years and the play of Koloamatangi, whose contract expires after 2026, is an indication that they will be a strong player again.

Mal denied Perth’s suspicions

Perth Bears coach mal meninga He shut down talk that he was having second thoughts about becoming president of the new NRL franchise.

There was talk that Meninga was unhappy with the way things were going in Perth, but Meninga said that was nowhere near the truth. “I’m absolutely determined,” he told me.

“I want that to be my legacy. When I’m done with the game and I watch it just as a fan, I want to be proud of what we did in Perth. And that’s the message I give to the players we talk to, that we can create something we can be proud of. I want the players to come here not for the money, but because of the opportunity we have in front of us.”

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Meninga was excited to sign his most important player – Toby SextonThe former Titans and Bulldogs quarterback has the opportunity to show that he is a long-time freshman.

Sexton had his best season in 2025 but still found himself left out of the Bulldogs lineup; This decision created much controversy. Sexton was not seen by the Bulldogs as a long-term solution at No 7 but they would keep him at the club as a reserve player.

“I think he is a terrific player who is getting better and better,” Meninga said. “What’s more, he’s a very popular person and if you talk to anyone in the game, they’ll say he’s a great person. I think his game will improve and he’s entering the best part of his career. He was the first person we spoke to.”

The Bears have also been linked with Sexton’s former fly-half partner at the Bulldogs. matt burton. “Of course we would like to have Matt Burton in our team but everything we are told is that he is happy at the Bulldogs,” Meninga said. “If that changes we would of course want to talk to him but there is no indication he wants to leave the club.”

Kikau’s Fiji toy drive

Bulldogs forward Viliame Kikau He’s an unconventional Santa, but that’s the role he’ll play when he returns to his native Fiji this month.

The NRL star will bring the magic of Christmas to hundreds of underprivileged children in the Pacific nation through a heartwarming toy campaign organized by Kikau Academy in partnership with Australian toy company Kidstuff.

Kikau and its academy partners will distribute donated Kidstuff toys to orphanages, women’s shelters and children’s charities in Fiji on December 19-20.

This is a great gesture and partnership. The academy’s purpose goes beyond finding emerging league talent. He has consistently worked to create opportunities and bring hope to communities in need, especially in his hometown.

“Growing up in Fiji, I remember Christmas being a difficult time for many families who couldn’t afford to buy gifts for their children,” the Bulldogs’ enforcer said.

“These memories have always stayed with me. We came up with this initiative with Kidstuff because we wanted to give something back to families who are struggling at home and make this Christmas a little more joyful for them. If we can put a smile on these children’s faces by distributing a few toys, then it’s all worth it.”

“Christmas should be a special time for every child and I am grateful to Kidstuff and the Kikau Academy team for helping us make it happen for the children who need it most in Fiji.”

Oprah says yes to rugby league in Vegas

Oprah Winfrey rugby league’s newest fan… or at least Peter V’landys He hopes she will. I approached Oprah at the hotel where she was staying in Sydney for the week and asked if she wanted to go see the NRL’s opening round in Las Vegas.

Naturally, he said yes, and now PVL is taking it upon himself to take him to the match. “After his public statements, I will have to make it happen,” he said.

“We will be contacting the public to see if they are eligible to join us at Allegiant Stadium.”

Since “jumping” Oprah I’ve been asked many times how this came about. Organizers of the event Nelson Asofa-Solomona The media conference warned those in attendance to arrive early for the event due to concerns that Oprah’s presence at the hotel could mean a higher level of security.

It looks like Oprah was more than happy to chat. He was accompanied by a security guard, but he looked ready for the introduction.

I stayed there for a while after the media conference to see if Oprah was there. When I spotted a row of rental cars and a photographer at the back of the hotel, it was clear he would be on the move and more than happy to chat.

A punter presented him with a copy. John Abrahambook The Last King of the Cross. Rugby league, PVL and John Ibrahim. This is an eventful day, even for Oprah.

The Roosters have their eyes on the rugby duo

The Roosters have been criticized for letting star players slip through their fingers. Mark Nawaqanitawase And Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i. But the whispers coming from Bondi Junction are interesting.

There is a suggestion that Nawaqanitawase, who will leave the Roosters at the end of next season, will sign with Japanese Rugby and play for the Wallabies in 2027. The Roosters then aim to leave room for him in their squad for the second half of 2028. The club’s target will be a comeback in the middle of the year. Nawaqanitawase has not ruled out a return to the NRL and if the Roosters can achieve that they will look to bring in the Wallaby. Max Jorgensen To the club after the Rugby World Cup in 2027.

Jorgensen, He has been offered a five-year contract from Rugby Australia The push to keep the Roosters at bay has been on the NRL club’s radar for some time. He trained at the club and impressed. Both Nawaqanitawase and Jorgensen have managers the Roosters can work with. But the real problem Sua’ali’i is the head of the Roosters Nick Politis He won’t care about his manager, Isaac Moses.

Eye surgery to keep Leniu away from Kokoda

An actor who won’t be doing Kokoda Trek with the Roosters in Papua New Guinea Spencer Leniu. It’s not that he doesn’t want to participate in a team event. He had surgery on both eyes. He has had vision problems throughout his life. The king of the kickoff won’t be able to recognize himself when his vision recovers.

Rival clubs fear Roosters make big play while at Leniu Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. He has a family history at the club, with his father serving there. Considering they already have Leniu, it’s hard to see how they can afford his salary. Naufahu WhyteQuickly breaking into the top five in the competition and becoming Queensland’s front rower Lindsay Collins.

Starc’s impact off the field

Australia’s in-form fast bowler a few days after the Perth Test Mitchell starc Long Reef Golf Club joins fundraiser to support professional teaching Michael InfantiHe is fighting a terrible battle with cancer that has spread from his stomach. The night at Long Reef raised nearly $70,000 to help Mick ease the financial pressure as he tries to recover from cancer that has stopped spreading for now. It allows him to concentrate on his recovery.

Starc also donated an Ashes jersey to be auctioned on the night, raising $5,000. Starc and his partner Alyssa Healy We are members of Long Reef and golf tragics.

Coaching minds rely on sparring rule changes

sharks trainer Craig Fitzgibbon The young man was among NRL coaches who met last week to discuss possible rule changes for next season. Likes Wayne Bennett, Ivan Cleary, Michael Maguire, Ricky Stuart And Craig Bellamy It was the championship-winning group that gathered at NRL headquarters to discuss matters relating to the game. He was selected by the Australian Rugby League Commission because of his knowledge of the game and his ability to never put the blame on someone else after defeats.