Wayne Bennett

Ben Barba's alleged potshot at Wayne Bennett

When Wayne Bennett returned to the Brisbane Broncos in 2015, one of the first things he did was get rid of Ben Barba.

Now, according to Fairfax Media and Channel 9 reporter Danny Weidler, there's more to the story.

Weidler revealed the story he was told was Bennett informing Barba he was worth big money on his 2012 Bulldogs form when he won the Dally M medal - not what he had shown at Brisbane the previous season.

Now here's the best part, apocryphal or not.

Boyd ready for first battle with Bennett

In 20 appearances in the green and gold, Boyd is yet to finish on the losing side and wants to ensure facing a Bennett-coached team will be the only first he'll experience at the London Olympic Stadium next Sunday.

Bennett: We beat ourselves

England have a history of coming up just short against the world's best sides and they already face a mountain to climb in the competition following a narrow defeat to a Kiwis outfit inspired by Shaun Johnson.

The scrum-half broke England hearts in the 2013 World Cup semi-finals and he tormented Bennett's team on Saturday with his brilliant kicking game, adding a try and the winning drop goal to crown a man-of-the-match performance.

Wayne Bennett pleased with England start

The veteran Australian handed out five new caps in the absence of his skipper Sam Burgess and five players from the Super League grand final and watched his new-look, somewhat experimental side gain a 40-6 victory over a spirited France in Avignon.

Conversation between Benji Marshall and Wayne Bennett led to Broncos offer

Marshall’s manager Martin Tauber revealed how a heart-to-heart with Bennett saved his NRL career, with the veteran playmaker telling the super coach: “I don’t want to retire.”

Bennett’s lifeline to Marshall is genuine with Brisbane’s recruitment-and-retention committee to rubberstamp a contract offer by Friday.

Benji Marshall to the Broncos: Wayne Bennett offers NRL lifeline to former Kiwi Test star

Bennett is in discussions with Marshall about the prospect of the former Kiwi Test star joining the Broncos for a one-year swan song.

The revelations fuelled rumours Hunt could be squeezed out of Red Hill to link with ex-Broncos five-eighth Corey Norman at Parramatta.

In England preparing for the upcoming Four Nations tournament, Bennett has quashed speculation Hunt could be forced out of Brisbane.

“If Benji comes to the Broncos, and that is still an if, he will not be replacing Ben Hunt or Anthony Milford,” Bennett told The Courier-Mail.

Bennett looms large for Thaiday

Bennett – who is in his second stint at the Broncos – will be in charge of the English national side when the tournament gets underway on October 29 (AEDT).

The master coach previously helped the Kiwis take down the Kangaroos at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup and will be out for more success in what shapes as his first series in charge of England.  

Thaiday told NRL.com that it would be "weird" to come up against the man who handed him his NRL debut, but conceded it wouldn't be anything new. 

Bennett names first England squad

Eight NRL players, including Sam Burgess, have been included but the former Kangaroos mentor has omitted some established names as he looks to guide his adopted nation to a first ever tournament success.

Bennett backs inexperienced Broncos

The Broncos struggled for field position all night, greatly missing the six players out of the match on State of Origin duty. 

Eighteen-year-old Jaydn Su'A made his debut alongside fellow debutant, 20-year-old Tevita Pangai Jnr, and the Broncos also had 20-year-olds Joe Ofahengaue and Jai Arrow in their side. 

The young Broncos forward pack were no match for the experience of the Tigers' big men, but Bennett says they will be better for it. 

Oates made for Origin

It's this tough love from Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett that has seen Corey Oates go from a lanky country boy to a Queensland Origin player in a matter of 18 months.

Bennett may have not yet complimented Oates since returning to the club in 2015, but the master coach has brought out the best in the 21-year-old, with Oates enjoying his best season and a half of football yet, cementing his position on Brisbane's wing. 

But Bennett is not the only person Oates can thank, with the Baralaba Panthers junior owing a lot to his loving parents Warren and Jeanette.