Bennett backs Lockyer as Australian
captain

As the Kangaroos returned home from a highly successful Tri Nations tournament and exhibition game in Philadelphia, politics was again the special on the Rugby League menu.

Wayne Bennett has praised the Tri Nations as a success and denied the end of season tour was a contributor to player burnout, saying the Origin series is far more taxing and it would never be removed or modified from the Rugby League calendar.

Bennett’s comments come in the wake of the NRL conference, held on Tuesday to map out the games future which includes issues such as the collective bargaining agreement, free to air television rights, length of the NRL season and the ever present salary cap and draft issues.

Bennett also praised his star pupil Darren Lockyer, saying he would retain the Australian captaincy regardless of the return of Andrew Johns. Lockyer has been widely regarded as the world’s best player and one would find it hard to argue after his scintillating display of the Tri Nations final at Elland Road last month.

Lockyer inherited the captaincy on the 2003 Ashes tour after Andrew Johns was unavailable through injury and Lockyer lead a vastly under strength Kangaroos to a memorable series victory over the British Lions.

The players will now take a well-earned break before resuming training with their clubs in mid January as they build up to the 2005 NRL season.