KEY POINTS:
It was former coach turned journalist Roy Masters who said: "I believe [Wayne] Bennett stands somewhere below Jack Gibson, which is somewhere just above God."
Gibson is regarded as the game's first 'supercoach' but Bennett is not far behind, having assembled a CV that would leave any reader dizzy - six NRL premierships, seven grand finals, five State of Origin series wins with Queensland and three years as Australia coach.
There is, though, one glaring omission.
It is mostly due to circumstance and the fact there hasn't been one since 2000 but Bennett has never won a World Cup. He's never even coached a side at a World Cup.
It is one of the principal reasons Bennett is keen to take over as Kiwis coach. He is expected to be confirmed in the job in the coming days after the NZRL try to piece together a coaching and management structure around him.
"I have no doubt he wants to do it because he believes New Zealand can win the World Cup," says Malcolm Boyle, who got to know Bennett well during his time as All Golds manager.
On the evidence of last year's record losses to Australia and Great Britain, the Kiwis might not seem capable of even challenging for the trophy. But the arrival of Bennett appears to change that.
Former Brisbane and Australian prop Shane Webcke says:"I would say that if Wayne is involved, you can be pretty much assured you will have a competitive New Zealand side."
There's not much time. But maybe that is part of the challenge for Bennett.
After all, the Broncos supremo has spent his whole life overcoming challenges - he had a rough upbringing under an alcoholic and abusive father who walked out on the family when Bennett was 11, forcing him to work in a bacon factory, and he has two children with disabilities.
It still begs the question, however, of why he would want to work under a dysfunctional NZRL.
"He's got a very keen sense of the history of the game and a huge desire to promote the international game, which he saw a couple of years ago of being in danger of dying," Boyle says. "He's also got a real fascination with New Zealand rugby league and the brotherhood that New Zealand teams developed around guys like Ruben Wiki and Stacey Jones. That's why he was so keen to coach the All Golds, because he really wanted to see inside the New Zealand organisation and what drove our players."
Bennett's last foray into international rugby league didn't end so well. He was vilified for Australia's embarrassing 24-0 loss to the Kiwis in the 2005 Tri Nations final. He resigned soon after, replaced by Ricky Stuart.
The likely match-up of Bennett and Stuart is a marketer's dream as is, for Australian audiences, the added bonus of a Queensland and New South Wales rivalry. There's a belief Bennett and Stuart are the bitterest of enemies and, in Stuart's mind, this might be true.
It stems from the aftermath of Bennett's reign as Kangaroos coach when he reacted furiously to suggestions Stuart had been appointed to succeed him to crack down on a perceived culture of binge drinking in the national side.
Bennett was lined up to replace Stuart at the Roosters last season before Bennett opted out.
Webcke denies that the chance to go head-to-head with Stuart is part of Bennett's motivation.
"He wouldn't give a rat's arse about those sorts of things," says Webcke, who played his entire NRL career under Bennett and is closer than most to the 58-year-old. "He's so far above that, it doesn't matter.
"He would make his decisions on much more sensible issues. He wouldn't care if it's used to drum up interest but it's just not in his thinking. He's thinking, 'let's make New Zealand as strong as they should be'."
Bennett is probably also mindful this is his last chance at a World Cup. Reports suggest his tenure with Brisbane is coming to an end and even though he has a contract to the end of 2009, this season could be his last.
His presence would be a fillip for the Kiwis, who fell into disarray under Gary Kemble because the players didn't respect the coach.
Ruben Wiki, whom Bennett is likely to recruit for some role with the Kiwis, admires the man.
"When he walks into a room, everyone stops and notices out of respect for what he has achieved. His presence in the Kiwis camp would change it immensely.
"When we first met for the All Golds, he spoke to the senior guys and told us to enjoy it. But he also laid down a few house rules that everyone had to abide by - things like being on time, no hats or jandals at dinner. They were only little things but it meant everything ran really smoothly. Everyone knew where they stood and it made it easy for the senior guys to feed information to the younger ones."
Bennett has a reputation as a staunch disciplinarian and a taciturn character who has a fractious relationship with many, including the media.
Webcke, however, says the reality is much different.
"Like many people, the public figure is very different to the private one. The man I know is a lot of things and he's much different to the guy who is perceived in the media.
"He's guarded and doesn't get ruffled easily because he has prepared meticulously. He has weaknesses and sometimes his reputation can be difficult for him because he's perceived to be a man without chinks but he has his flaws. He has less than most and is a remarkable man but he is human and makes mistakes.
"He has a presence borne out of his formidable reputation. I think he plays on that a bit. But once you gain his confidence, he's a different person.
"He's not into intimidation but he can do that. He will give you a chance [if you stuff up] but don't do it again or you won't be a part of the organisation. He will cut you free.
"He also polarises people but uncompromising people do because they are steadfast in doing what they think is right. That puts people on the left or the right of him."
After the travails of the past six months in New Zealand rugby league, it might just be what they need. If he can lead the Kiwis to success at this year's World Cup, he might even step up a notch in Masters' thinking.
