NRL: Bennett's snub mystifies Broncos

Wayne Bennett will not be returning to the Broncos, the Brisbane-based club he led to numerous NRL premierships. Photo / Greg Bowker

The Broncos have lost the most successful NRL coach in history, and they are no closer to knowing why.

Seven times Premiership coach Wayne Bennett stunned the rugby league world by turning his back on an opportunity to return to the Brisbane club.

Current coach Anthony Griffin has been given a contract extension through to the end of 2013.

Broncos CEO Paul White said the club has no idea what Bennett's next plans are. He said Bennett is very economical with his words and didn't say a lot about his decision.

South Sydney crashed 30-6 to the Wests Tigers last night, but the Rabbitohs are adamant rumours the supercoach is on his way are no distraction.

The race for the seven-time premiership winner is now thought to be between the Rabbitohs and newly privatised Newcastle.

"It's not a good thing or a bad thing," said former Queensland representative Ben Ross.

"We don't really listen to the news any more.

"We concentrate on our game only and all this Bennett talk, I didn't even know about it.

"It's new to us."

Another former Maroon who played under Bennett, Rhys Wesser, added: "We're not really getting dragged into it.

"In the end he'll make the decision and at the moment we've got John Lang.

"We've got 20 rounds to go and hopefully we're there for the finals.

"(Bennett's) done it all and he going anywhere would be a great credit to any club so it's his decision."

Ross conceded Bennett would be a bonus at the club, whose current mentor Lang is widely tipped to step down when his contract expires at the end of the season.

"He'd be great for any club he goes to," Ross said.

"He's taken two different teams to premiership wins and it shows that he can bring the best out in each side.

"If we're improving the way we are, whoever we get next year will be a bonus but we're not really thinking about that at the moment.

"We're just going to go out and play our best footy and what comes will come with the coach.

"It's not up to the players.

"We're really happy under Langy at the moment and we'll be playing for him."

- AAP, NEWSTALK ZB