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A converstaion with Stephen Kearney made Wayne Bennett think twice about taking the Kiwis coaching position but there is still a chance he will agree to a role.
The Broncos coach was on the verge of agreeing terms last week but backtracked after realising the full extent of what the job might entail after speaking with Kearney.
It's understood Bennett, who announced last week that 2008 would be his last with Brisbane after more than 20 years in charge, had been interested in overseeing the entire Kiwis World Cup campaign in the way Sir Alex Ferguson manages Manchester United - without having to handle day-to-day aspects like trainings.
It was during a conversation with Kearney, who is assistant to Craig Bellamy at Melbourne, that Bennett realised the role was likely going to be much bigger than he anticipated.
It's believed Kearney expressed a lack of confidence in his own ability and a belief that he wasn't ready to have a major role, although sources say he has since spoken to Bennett to try to allay some of those fears.
It also didn't help that NZRL chairman Ray Haffenden and general manager Peter Cordtz presented a 70-page contract for Bennett to consider when the trio met in Brisbane 10 days ago.
Both the NZRL and Australian Rugby League have tried all week to convince Bennett to take a role with the Kiwis, particularly as there doesn't seem to be a Plan B.
The NZRL have told Bennett to name his terms and the structure he wants in the hope they can work something out while the ARL are aware Bennett could be the difference between a successful World Cup and one that flops.
It's understood the ARL have underwritten the May 9 centenary test in Sydney and given the NZRL a $350,000 advance to help them through their present financial difficulties.
This financial assistance was agreed to when ARL chairman Colin Love and CEO Geoff Carr flew to Auckland last month and was gratefully received considering the NZRL predicted a loss of $1.25 million for 2007.
The ARL took a huge risk in doing that and they won't be impressed if New Zealand turn up to the May 9 test with an inexperienced coach and the potential for another hefty defeat.
The New Zealand body would be expected to pay that money back if the centenary test fails financially and a poor result on the field would then have a profound impact on the Australian public's interest in the World Cup.
Carr declined to comment on the advanced payment but reiterated that they supported Bennett having a role with the Kiwis.
"The ARL have no objection to Wayne Bennett coaching New Zealand but it's up to Wayne and the NZRL to decide," Carr said. "We know there are very good players in New Zealand and that if they got their act together, which we know they are capable of doing, they can have a very good football team. It's not going to take them much to get back to where they were in 2005 and 2006."
The NZRL don't have many options if Bennett decides he doesn't want to team up with the Kiwis. Kearney seems certain to be involved at some level but there is a need for an experienced coach to be alongside him.
Phil Gould has been mentioned as an alternative but it's not believed any approach has been made to the former NSW coach.
Haffenden and Cordtz have worked tirelessly to convince Bennett to accept a job and at least persuaded him to consider the position again after it seemed all hope had gone.
It's not certain how long negotiations with Bennett or any other candidate will take but Bennett will know he can take all the time he wants.
While some believe the chances of the six-time premiership winner being involved are slim because of the risk to his own credibility and question marks over being associated with a dysfunctional and dithering NZRL board, others believe he will take the job because he realises the success of the World Cup depends on it.
The 58-year-old has been a long-time supporter of international rugby league and understands the World Cup could be a disaster if the Kiwis aren't competitive.
It's not the first time Bennett has eased back from a coaching offer. He pulled out of a deal to coach the Roosters from 2007 after it was leaked to the media and is known as somebody who won't do anything if it doesn't feel right.
Haffenden and Cordtz didn't return calls.
