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BRISBANE - Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett met New Zealand rugby league officials yesterday about helping the Kiwis in this year's rugby league World Cup.
But the former Queensland Origin and Australian coach was tight-lipped about whether he was about to become the code's first dual international coach.
Bennett met privately today with the officials who are on the hunt for a new coach after Gary Kemble resigned earlier this month following player resistance led by Kiwis skipper Roy Asotasi.
"We've had the meeting," Bennett said.
Bennett, who declined to reveal any details of the meeting or what position he was offered, said there was no more meetings planned.
"It was a good meeting. They were very cordial and nice," said Bennett.
"They (officials) are on their way back to New Zealand now.
"They've got processes to go through and I imagine when they've done all that they'll make some announcements."
It's likely the New Zealand Rugby League will confirm Bennett, who coached Australia 16 times between 1998 and 2005, will play a role in preparing the Kiwis for the World Cup along with former Kiwis test captain Stephen Kearney, who is assistant coach to Craig Bellamy at Melbourne Storm.
Bennett already has the backing of Asotasi and other Kiwis players after impressing them in his guest coaching role with the All Golds in a centenary match in the United Kingdom last year.
"It'd be awesome, his name speaks for itself," said Asotasi today, who also felt vindicated in speaking out against Kemble.
"I'd definitely like to have him involved in some role with the Kiwis and you've also got Stephen Kearney who's interested."
The Broncos are on record as saying they would not oppose Bennett accepting a coaching role with the Kiwis.
- AAP
