Bennett credited a Christian brothers teacher in grade 5 at school for setting the tone for his life.
“He cared about everybody in class and his favourite line was, ‘if I did not challenge you then I failed you’, and I coach like he taught us in grade 5,” he said. “We are all equals. He treated us all the same. He had a huge influence.”
The seven-time NRL premiership-winning coach also spoke about the importance of choosing the right player, assistant or staff member.
“My biggest fear is choosing the wrong person,” he said. “I’ve got a person, now I’ve got to find a way to move that person. I’m not going to read your CV because I’ve done that many references for people I don’t like. So I’ll ring someone in the business and check you out.
“I would rather work with 10 guys who are doing their best, than 13 or 15 who don’t give a shit. You won’t be part of my life. And if you employ too many they sit and bitch about you all day because they’ve got nothing to do. They all think they can do the job better than you.”
Bennett sat at a table opposite Papua New Guinea Chiefs chairman Ray Dib – who he has been linked with – and gave no indication he was going to quit anytime soon.
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“I’ll know when I don’t want to get out of bed at 5.30 in the morning,” Bennett said. “I loved being at training this morning. No one will tell me when to retire. I’ll make my own decision.”
Dragons flying for Keaon
The Dragons rolled out the red carpet for Kangaroo and South Sydney forward Keaon Koloamatangi in their effort to sign him. They put him in a helicopter – presumably flying him from Sydney to Wollongong as part of their sales pitch to show him they mean business.
It’s a sign that things are changing at the Red V under the leadership of chairman Andrew Lancaster and CEO Tim Watsford. The Dragons have heard the noise that they are no longer viewed as a heavyweight club and they are trying to change that image. The club has missed too many players in recent years and the play for Koloamatangi, who is off contract beyond 2026, is an indication they are going all in to be a powerhouse again.
Mal denies Perth doubts
Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga has shut down talk he’s having second thoughts about being the head of the new NRL franchise.
There has been talk that Meninga is frustrated with the way things are progressing in Perth, but he said it’s nowhere near the truth. “I’m committed for sure,” he told me.
Mal Meninga says he is dedicated to making the Perth Bears a successful NRL franchise.Credit: Getty Images
“I want this to be my legacy piece. When I’m done in the game and I’m just watching it as a fan I want to be proud of what we’ve done at Perth. And that’s the message I’m giving to players we are talking to. That we can create something to be proud of. I want players to come here not because of money but because of the opportunity that we have in front of us”.
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Meninga was glowing about the signing of their most important player – Toby Sexton, the former Titans and Bulldogs halfback, has an opportunity to show he is a long-term first-grader.
Sexton had his best season in 2025 but still found himself out of the Bulldogs side – a decision which created a lot of talk. Sexton wasn’t seen by the Bulldogs as their long-term solution at No.7, but they would’ve kept him at the club to be a backup player.
“I think he’s a terrific player who is only getting better,” Meninga said. “More than that, he’s a very popular individual and if you speak to anyone in the game that’s what they say that he is a great person. I think his game is going to develop and he’s entering the best part of his career. He was the first person we spoke to.”
The Bears are also linked to Sexton’s old halves partner at the Bulldogs Matt Burton. “Of course we would like to have Matt Burton in our team but from everything we have been told he’s happy at the Bulldogs,” Meninga said. “If that would change at any point of course we would want to speak to him, but we’ve got no indication that he is looking to leave that club.”
Kikau’s Fiji toy drive
Bulldogs forward Viliame Kikau is an unlikely Santa Claus – but that’s the role he will play when he returns to his homeland Fiji this month.
The NRL star will bring Christmas magic to hundreds of underprivileged children across the Pacific nation through a heartwarming toy drive organised by his Kikau Academy in partnership with Australian toy company Kidstuff.
Kikau and his academy partners will distribute donated Kidstuff toys to orphanages, women’s shelters, and children’s charities throughout Fiji on December 19-20.
It’s a great gesture and partnership. The aim of the academy is beyond finding a developing league talent. He has consistently worked to create opportunities and bring hope to communities in need, particularly in his homeland.
“Growing up in Fiji, I remember Christmas being a difficult time for many families who couldn’t afford to buy gifts for their kids,” the Bulldogs enforcer said.
Giving back: Viliame Kikau delivers playing gear to a rugby club in Fiji on a previous visit.
“Those memories have always stayed with me. We came up with this initiative with Kidstuff because we wanted to give back to families who are doing it tough back home and make this Christmas a bit more joyous for them. If we can put a smile on these kids’ faces by giving out some toys, then it’s all worth it.
“Christmas should be a special time for every child, and I’m grateful to Kidstuff and the Kikau Academy team for helping us make that happen for kids in Fiji who need it most.”
Oprah says yes to rugby league in Vegas
Oprah Winfrey is rugby leagues newest fan … or at least Peter V’landys hopes she will become that. I approached Oprah at the Sydney hotel she was staying at during the week and asked her whether she would like to go watch the opening round of the NRL in Las Vegas.
Naturally, she said yes and now PVL is making it his mission to get her to the game. “I’ll have to make it happen after her public comments,” he said.
“We will be getting in touch with her people to see if she’s available to join us at Allegiant Stadium.”
I’ve been asked many times since “bouncing” Oprah how it came about. The organisers of the Nelson Asofa-Solomona media conference warned those attending to get to the event early as they were concerned Oprah’s presence at the hotel may have meant security was at a greater level.
As it turns out Oprah was more than happy to have a chat. She did have a security guard with her, but it seemed she was up for publicity.
After the media conference I stayed on for a little while just to have a look to see if Oprah was about. When I saw a row of hire cars at the back of the hotel and a photographer, it was clear she would be on the move and she was more than happy to have a chat.
One punter presented her with a copy of John Ibrahim’s book the Last King of the Cross. Rugby league, PVL and John Ibrahim. Even for Oprah that’s an eventful day.
Roosters’ eyes on rugby duo
Mark Nawaqanitawase. Credit: Getty Images
The Roosters have been criticised for allowing star recruits to slip through their fingers, including Mark Nawaqanitawase and Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i. But the whispers coming out of Bondi Junction are interesting.
The view is Nawaqanitawase, who will leave the Roosters at the end of next season, will do a deal with Japanese Rugby and play for the Wallabies in 2027. The Roosters are then aiming to leave space in their roster for him for the second half of 2028. A mid-year return would be what the club pushes for. Nawaqanitawase has not ruled out a return to the NRL and if the Roosters can manage it, they will also try and bring Wallaby Max Jorgensen to the club after the Rugby World Cup in 2027.
Jorgensen, who has been offered a five-year contract by Rugby Australia to keep the Roosters away, has been on the NRL club’s radar for some time. He has trained with the club and impressed. Both Nawaqanitawase and Jorgensen have managers the Roosters can work with. However, the main issue with Sua’ali’i is Roosters supremo Nick Politis won’t deal with his manager, Isaac Moses.
Eye surgery to keep Leniu off Kokoda
A player who won’t be doing the Kokoda Trek in Papua New Guinea with the Roosters is Spencer Leniu. Not because he doesn’t want to join in a team activity. He has had operations on both of his eyes. He has had issues with his sight all of his life. The king of the kick-off return won’t know himself once his vision is sorted.
While on Leniu – rival clubs are fearing the Roosters are set to make a play for big Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. He has a family history at the club with his dad having a stint there. It’s hard to see how they could accommodate his salary, given they already have Leniu, Naufahu Whyte, who is fast becoming a top-five prop in the competition, and Queensland front-rower Lindsay Collins.
Starc’s off-field impact
A few days after the Perth Test Australia’s in-form fast bowler Mitchell Starc attended a fundraiser to support Long Reef Golf Club teaching pro Michael Infanti, who is going through a horrific battle with cancer which had spread from his stomach. The night at Long Reef raised nearly $70,000 for Mick to ease financial pressure as he tries to get rid of the cancer that, for now, has stopped spreading. It allows him to concentrate on his recovery.
Starc also donated an Ashes playing shirt for auction on the night, which raised $5000. Starc and his partner Alyssa Healy are members at Long Reef and are golf tragics.
Coaching brains trust debate rule changes
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon was the young buck among the NRL coaches who met last week to discuss the potential rule changes for next season. The likes of Wayne Bennett, Ivan Cleary, Michael Maguire, Ricky Stuart and Craig Bellamy were the title-winning group who gathered at NRL headquarters to discuss pertinent matters around the game. The reason he was chosen by the Australian Rugby League Commission was because of his knowledge of the game and the way he never shifts blame after defeats.