Wayne Bennett signs on as South Sydney Rabbitohs coach for seasons 2020 and 2021

Daniel Ramus

•
Wayne Bennett signs on as South Sydney Rabbitohs coach for seasons 2020 and 2021 image

Wayne Bennett has signed a two-year deal to coach the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2020 and 2021.

Bennett remains under contract with the Brisbane Broncos for next season.

The 68-year-old coached Brisbane between 1988 and 2008, and again from 2015 onwards.

South Sydney released a statement on Thursday afternoon confirming Bennett's signing.

MORE: Ask the NRL Lurker: Could Kieran Foran return to Manly Sea Eagles with Des Hasler?

Rabbitohs General Manager Shane Richardson was delighted that his club had locked in Bennett, whom he described as an all-time great in the coaching ranks.

"Wayne is one of the best, if the not the best, rugby league coaches of all time and we are excited to see what he can bring to our club," Richardson said in the statement.

"His football record is second-to-none and his reputation as a leader is also of the highest order.

"We're looking forward to Wayne becoming a Rabbitoh in 12 months' time and we wish him the best of luck with the England team in their current Test series with the Kiwis.

"Now we can look forward to season 2019 with the aim of improving our performance on the 2018 season."


Bennett said he was excited by the chance to coach the Rabbitohs, one of only two foundation clubs left in the NRL.

 "I'm truly humbled by the opportunity to coach the South Sydney Rabbitohs," Bennett said.

"Souths is one of the iconic clubs in the game. I didn't think I would get this opportunity, but that opportunity has now come for 2020 and 2021."

The Rabbitohs will be Bennett's fifth NRL club.

Bennett has coached over 800 first grade games at Canberra, Brisbane, St George Illawarra and Newcastle.

Interestingly. Richardson seemed to be slightly agitated with current coach Anthony Seibold.

Seibold is under contract with the Rabbitohs until the end of the 2019 season.

Richardson revealed the Rabbitohs tabled an offer of an extension to Seibold back in June, but his reluctance to commit resulted in their decision to pursue, and secure Bennett.

"Anthony (Seibold) has done a great job at our club over the past two years however his hesitance to extend his contract with us, an offer which has been on the table since June, led the club to explore other options," Richardson added.

Bennett's move to the Rabbitohs means Seibold is almost certain to join Brisbane.

Seibold was named Dally M Coach of the Year in 2018 after guiding South Sydney to a surprise premininary final appearance, in just his first season.

The Courier-Mail's Peter Badel reported on Thursday afternoon that Seibold was now the only coach in negotiations with the Broncos.

According to Badel, New Zealand coach Michael Maguire, Queensland coach Kevin Walters, and Broncos assistant Jason Demetriou are now out of the running.


Initially, there was confusion over whether Bennett would take over at the Rabbitohs in 2019 or 2020.

That uncertainty has momentarily been put aside with the 68-year-old putting pen to paper on a deal beginning in 2020.

However, there's still time before pre-season training starts for Bennett and the Broncos to part ways and for the veteran mentor to land at Redfern next season.

But Badel also quoted Bennett as saying wants to remain with the Broncos in 2019.


Although that could merely be a ploy from Bennett to force the Broncos to sack him, meaning they'll have to pay out the last year of his contract.

South Sydney's interest in the seven-time premiership winner intensified after he went cold on a move to crosstown rivals the Wests Tigers.

With Bennett over the line at Souths and Seibold's move to the Broncos looming, the coaching merry-go-round is taking shape.


Wests Tigers have met with Maguire and are understood to be keen to secure the services of the 2014 premiership-winning coach.

That would allow Ivan Cleary to join the Penrith Panthers effective immediately, and link up with his son Nathan.

All that comes after Des Hasler signed a three-year deal to return as Manly coach, beginning in 2019.

Hasler's appointment leaves Trent Barrett in limbo, with the Sea Eagles now effectively having two head coaches on their books.

Daniel Ramus