Kiwis plead with Bennett: 'Don't leave us now'

AAP | 24/11/08 | 0

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As usual, Wayne Bennett wasn't saying a thing.

But the jubilant New Zealand players to a man were adamant they wanted the six-time premiership winning coach to stick around.

They desperately want Bennett to continue in his role as assistant to Stephen Kearney and help him build on Saturday night's remarkable World Cup success over Australia.

"I would love to see him continue," declared Kiwi superstar Benji Marshall.

"He's been a great influence on the team and he commands a lot of respect."

Marshall said Bennett had instilled some discipline into the players which had been missing.

He said he also played a big part in instilling the self-belief needed to win after the Kiwis had lost all 13 previous World Cup clashes with Australia.

"If anything, in the past we were probably guilty of going out too much but this time we made a pact and all stayed together," said Marshall.

"They (Bennett and Kearney) kept us that way with their discipline."

Recently retired Kiwi leader Ruben Wiki, who captained New Zealand against Bennett's Kangaroos in Australia's last major international loss in England in 2005, agreed.

"Wayne loves being involved," said Wiki, who had a huge input into New Zealand's upset.

"He has such a great knowledge of the game and, with Stephen Kearney, that worked with the players.

"The old school and the blue shirt, they make a great team."

Bennett, who kept his silence throughout the World Cup campaign about sleeping with the enemy, maintained it even in the euphoria of the Kiwis' greatest victory.

The only people saying less than Bennett were the gutted Australian players.

They sat in a circle in the dressing room for more than an hour after the loss, refusing media requests to share their emotions with their fans and supporters.

There's no doubt Bennett enjoyed the win and the personal satisfaction of beating rival Ricky Stuart, the man who replaced him in the wake of the Kangaroos' embarrassing 24-0 loss in the 2005 Tri-Nations final.

Just how much pleasure he got we won't know until he releases his third book.

I would love to see him continue... Kiwi superstar Benji Marshall