Kiwi legend Graham Lowe has called on New Zealand to appoint the great Wayne Bennett as national coach to succeed Michael Maguire.
The Kiwis parted ways with Maguire in a controversial move last week and there is no obvious replacement for the Test job.
But Lowe, regarded as the godfather of Kiwi rugby league, believes the 73-year-old Bennett – who coached the Kiwis with some success in 2007 – is the right man for the job.
READ MORE: Maxwell equals insane record to rescue Aussies
READ MORE: Warner no certainty for fairytale Test farewell
READ MORE: Ponga sets sights on regaining Maroons jersey
“If I was the NZRL I’d approach Wayne Bennett before anyone,” Lowe told Wide World of Sports.
“He has shown with the Dolphins this year that he still has what it takes and all his players like and respect him.
“He is a wonderful man manager and that’s the main thing you need at international level – the players don’t need to be told how to run or tackle.
“He has been a great asset to the Kiwis in the past and laid the foundations for their recent success.
“No one seems to know what the criteria for the job are, but apparently being a club coach is not a problem.”
Lowe is critical of the way the Kiwis parted ways with Maguire after he let it be known he was keen on the NSW State of Origin job.
“I’m still so surprised it’s happened,” he said.
“I think there has been some white-anting going on.
“There were suggestions he’d be unprofessional with both roles (New Zealand and NSW) and I can’t see why they would have thought that – I’m flabbergasted.”
NRL bad boy looking to revive career
Former NRL bad boy Joseph Leilua is back in Australia and looking to revive his football career.
The controversial former Roosters, Knights, Raiders and Tigers centre spent the past two seasons in England with the Featherstone club and his playing days looked to be winding down.
Leilua has had several boxing bouts and experts believe he has a future in the square ring.
But the strong-running centre, who debuted in the NRL in 2010 but is still only 31, has signed with Dapto Canaries in the Illawarra competition.
That puts him under the Dragons umbrella and if the club is struggling for penetration in the backline during the 2024 season, they could do worse than look at Leilua.
It’s a long shot – but stranger things have happened.
Promising prop joins Raiders
The Raiders have put a promising prop from Penrith on a train and trial contract for next season.
Peter Taateo, 20, played in the NSW Cup last year and also spent time at the Eels prior to that.
A big middle forward, he represented NSW under 16s a few seasons ago and is training with the Raiders’ top squad during the summer.
The coaching staff will watch his progress with interest in the trials.
Another potential addition for Bulldogs
A promising lock from Campbelltown City Kangaroos in Group 6 is trialling for a contract with the Bulldogs.
Brad Bishop, a 20-year-old who can play lock, prop or second row, has been a part of the Bulldogs’ squad in the pre-season.
Unfortunately, a knee injury has slowed his progress and he has had to take a break from training to get it right.
But if he can get over it by the new year and shows good form in the trials, he is a chance of getting a start in the club’s Flegg team.
Football runs through Bishop’s veins – his dad Robbie played many years for the Kangaroos and is regarded as one of the club’s favourite sons.