Aussies endorse Bennett as coach

Australia today re-appointed Wayne Bennett as national coach but kept alive the debate over the Kangaroos captaincy.

The Australia Rugby League board officially endorsed the Brisbane Broncos boss as coach for the 2005 season while at the same time voting to continue the tradition of appointing the captain after the team is selected.

Bennett wanted the appointment to be made now to end the dispute between Queensland and New South Wales over the choice of incumbent Darren Lockyer and former skipper Andrew Johns.

Johns, 30, has missed Australia’s last 11 Tests and played only 19 NRL games in the past two years due to injury.

Brisbane captain Lockyer, who turns 28 next month, led Australia to victory in November’s inaugural Tri-Nations final against Great Britain but is currently recovering from close-season surgery.

The board confirmed Australia’s participation in the 2005 Tri-Nations Series but will wait for the International Federation to set the schedule. Australia play New Zealand in Brisbane on April 22.