Bellamy favourite to lead Kangaroos

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has emerged as favourite to lead the Kangaroos to the 2008 World Cup following the sudden resignation of Wayne Bennett.

The 55-year-old Bennett ended his two-year reign a fortnight after Australia suffered an embarrassing 24-0 defeat by New Zealand in the Gillette Tri-Nations Series final in Leeds, their first series loss since 1978.