![\"Mal](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/3ac1650286342f32ce2a047444f34f5d5130c832.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nBennett credited a Christian brothers teacher in grade 5 at school for setting the tone for his life.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe cared about everybody in class and his favourite line was, \u2018if I did not challenge you then I failed you\u2019, and I coach like he taught us in grade 5,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are all equals. He treated us all the same. He had a huge influence.\u201d<\/p>\n
The seven-time NRL premiership-winning coach also spoke about the importance of choosing the right player, assistant or staff member.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy biggest fear is choosing the wrong person,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve got a person, now I\u2019ve got to find a way to move that person. I\u2019m not going to read your CV because I\u2019ve done that many references for people I don\u2019t like. So I\u2019ll ring someone in the business and check you out.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would rather work with 10 guys who are doing their best, than 13 or 15 who don\u2019t give a shit. You won\u2019t be part of my life. And if you employ too many they sit and bitch about you all day because they\u2019ve got nothing to do. They all think they can do the job better than you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bennett sat at a table opposite Papua New Guinea Chiefs chairman Ray Dib \u2013 who he has been linked with \u2013 and gave no indication he was going to quit anytime soon.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI\u2019ll know when I don\u2019t want to get out of bed at 5.30 in the morning,\u201d Bennett said. \u201cI loved being at training this morning. No one will tell me when to retire. I\u2019ll make my own decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dragons flying for Keaon<\/p>\n
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 \u2013 presumably flying him from Sydney to Wollongong as part of their sales pitch to show him they mean business.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Mal denies Perth doubts<\/p>\n
Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga has shut down talk he\u2019s having second thoughts about being the head of the new NRL franchise.<\/p>\n
There has been talk that Meninga is frustrated with the way things are progressing in Perth, but he said it\u2019s nowhere near the truth. \u201cI\u2019m committed for sure,\u201d he told me.<\/p>\n
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Mal Meninga says he is dedicated to making the Perth Bears a successful NRL franchise.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cI want this to be my legacy piece. When I\u2019m done in the game and I\u2019m just watching it as a fan I want to be proud of what we\u2019ve done at Perth. And that\u2019s the message I\u2019m 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\u201d.<\/p>\n
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Meninga was glowing about the signing of their most important player \u2013 Toby Sexton, the former Titans and Bulldogs halfback, has an opportunity to show he is a long-term first-grader.<\/p>\n
Sexton had his best season in 2025 but still found himself out of the Bulldogs side \u2013 a decision which created a lot of talk. Sexton wasn\u2019t seen by the Bulldogs as their long-term solution at No.7, but they would\u2019ve kept him at the club to be a backup player.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s a terrific player who is only getting better,\u201d Meninga said. \u201cMore than that, he\u2019s a very popular individual and if you speak to anyone in the game that\u2019s what they say that he is a great person. I think his game is going to develop and he\u2019s entering the best part of his career. He was the first person we spoke to.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bears are also linked to Sexton\u2019s old halves partner at the Bulldogs Matt Burton. \u201cOf course we would like to have Matt Burton in our team but from everything we have been told he\u2019s happy at the Bulldogs,\u201d Meninga said. \u201cIf that would change at any point of course we would want to speak to him, but we\u2019ve got no indication that he is looking to leave that club.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kikau\u2019s Fiji toy drive<\/p>\n
Bulldogs forward Viliame Kikau is an unlikely Santa Claus \u2013 but that\u2019s the role he will play when he returns to his homeland Fiji this month.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Kikau and his academy partners will distribute donated Kidstuff toys to orphanages, women\u2019s shelters, and children\u2019s charities throughout Fiji on December 19-20.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrowing up in Fiji, I remember Christmas being a difficult time for many families who couldn\u2019t afford to buy gifts for their kids,\u201d the Bulldogs enforcer said.<\/p>\n
![\"Giving](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/e174ac50852d41601e28001430d098a803007663.jpeg\")
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Giving back: Viliame Kikau delivers playing gear to a rugby club in Fiji on a previous visit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose 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\u2019 faces by giving out some toys, then it\u2019s all worth it.<\/p>\n
\u201cChristmas should be a special time for every child, and I\u2019m grateful to Kidstuff and the Kikau Academy team for helping us make that happen for kids in Fiji who need it most.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oprah says yes to rugby league in Vegas<\/p>\n
Oprah Winfrey is rugby leagues newest fan \u2026 or at least Peter V\u2019landys 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.<\/p>\n
Naturally, she said yes and now PVL is making it his mission to get her to the game. \u201cI\u2019ll have to make it happen after her public comments,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will be getting in touch with her people to see if she\u2019s available to join us at Allegiant Stadium.\u201d<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been asked many times since \u201cbouncing\u201d Oprah how it came about<\/a>. The organisers of the Nelson Asofa-Solomona media conference warned those attending to get to the event early as they were concerned Oprah\u2019s presence at the hotel may have meant security was at a greater level.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n One punter presented her with a copy of John Ibrahim\u2019s book the Last King of the Cross. Rugby league, PVL and John Ibrahim. Even for Oprah that\u2019s an eventful day.<\/p>\n Roosters\u2019 eyes on rugby duo Mark Nawaqanitawase. Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n The Roosters have been criticised for allowing star recruits to slip through their fingers, including Mark Nawaqanitawase and Joseph-Aukuso Sua\u2019ali\u2019i. But the whispers coming out of Bondi Junction are interesting.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Jorgensen, who has been offered a five-year contract by Rugby Australia<\/a> to keep the Roosters away, has been on the NRL club\u2019s 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\u2019ali\u2019i is Roosters supremo Nick Politis won\u2019t deal with his manager, Isaac Moses<\/a>.<\/p>\n Eye surgery to keep Leniu off Kokoda<\/p>\n A player who won\u2019t be doing the Kokoda Trek in Papua New Guinea with the Roosters is Spencer Leniu. Not because he doesn\u2019t 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\u2019t know himself once his vision is sorted.<\/p>\n![\"Mark](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1402f10c20b77b1440f2a8bb7bc3383ff8c25c6d.jpeg\")
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