RLWC better than 2008: Bennett

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THE man who masterminded New Zealand's shock victory at the last World Cup has declared the 2013 tournament "is better than 2008" and Wayne Bennett has rejected talk that it is a waste of time.

While there is justified criticism over some of the lopsided scorelines, Bennett last night said "what people have to realise is that this is not just about Australia, New Zealand and England, this is about the rest of the world.

"And this is not about now, this is about where we want the game to be in 40 years."

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Bennett was the brains behind the Kiwis' stunning upset victory over the Kangaroos in 2008 and he has no doubt in five years the developing league nations have grown significantly, directly because of their involvement in the World Cup.

"One of the reasons I took on the New Zealand job was because everyone was talking down the World Cup and in my opinion this one has been better," the seven-time premiership winning coach said.

"It is not a waste of time for the people of Fiji and everyone else who benefitted out of this. The United States. France. Italy. And that's what the World Cup is about, it is a bit bigger than the NRL, and we need to realise that."

"Fans vote with their feet and they have voted over there that they have enjoyed the concept and the quality of football.

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"Everyone that was complaining about the 5000 people who turned up for Australia's game against Ireland should realise that crowd was the biggest rugby league crowd ever in Ireland.

"Biggest ever. That's a good thing for the game.

"And so many of these games have been held in front of similar record crowds, record crowds.

"All through the north of England, in France.

"It's easy for us sitting back here to say it's a waste of time but I'm telling you it is not a waste of time for the people of Fiji and everyone else who benefitted out of this. The United States. France. Italy. And that's what the World Cup is about, it is a bit bigger than the NRL, and we need to realise that.

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"Whether it's cricket or rugby union or netball, they are all trying to make a thing of the World Cup in their different sports because it is the only way you are going to develop your sport.

"We keep taking this short-term view. It is not about the short-term here, it's long-term.

"And you're right, we know who the quality teams are now but it won't be long before someone is going to knock over one of these quality teams.

"And I talk to the players and the players have really bought into it this time and they want to represent their countries.

"In 2008 that wasn't as prevalent as it is now.

"I saw the other day Lachlan Coote, who is at the Cowboys now, says he wishes he had played for Scotland. There will be a lot more players that will take the offer next time.

"And people say it's not authentic. I know with Kade Snowden's case he had to get his grand father's birth certificate (to play for Italy).

"That is what they do for every other sport in the world, why do we always have to bag ourselves?"

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Tale of two speedsters

Patrick Corbin: "My friends just said, 'Dude, you have a pretty good arm. Why don't you just go out there and give it a shot?" Source: Jared Wickerham / Supplied

PATRICK Corbin threw his first fastball wearing jeans.

Back then, the Arizona Diamondback was still in his teens. A junior at North Syracuse High.

A first pitch towards what would eventually be deliveries challenging those of Australian cricket speedster, Mitchell Johnson.

Now starring in the Major Leagues, Corbin will today join LA Dodgers catcher AJ Ellis at the Sydney Opera House as the hype surrounding the 2014 MLB season opener, to be held at the SCG next March, gathers momentum.

Despite being famed for his slider, Corbin still has a fastball that travels at 153km/hr. In comparison, Johnson, who starts his Ashes campaign on Thursday, recently had his own fastball clocked at 154.6km/hr.

Mitchell Johnson has recently been clocked bowling at 154.6km/hr as the Ashes loom. Source: Getty Images

Yet in a recent interview, Arizona superstar Corbin admitted he never even considered a baseball career until high school.

After being dragged along to tryouts by his friends, the coach asked if he could hit. 'No,' came the reply. 'Okay, I guess we better see if you can throw then'.

"I didn't really know what the heck was going on," Corbin recalled. "My friends just said, 'Dude, you have a pretty good arm. Why don't you just go out there and give it a shot?'

"I was good friends with all of them and was like, 'What the heck?' "

"I remember walking up to pitch with jeans on."

Ironically, it was a similar story of discovery for Johnson who, at 17 and bowling in his father's golf shoes, shocked Queensland cricket officials by recording the fastest delivery in the state.

Off the field, both speedsters are also considered shy, modest and incredibly respectful.

With his signing bonus, Corbin bought a used car instead of a new one. He also still lived at home with his parent's until earlier this year and, during the offseason, officiates youth basketball games.

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Orica-GreenEDGE extend rider deals

Orica GreenEDGE rider Brett Lancaster drinks ater after the 18th stage of the Tour de France earlier this year. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

INVALUABLE experience and the attraction of more Grand Tour success are among the motivating factors behind Brett Lancaster and Svein Tuft's contract extensions with Orica-GreenEDGE.

Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lancaster, 34, and Canadian Tuft, 36, agreed to new two-year deals after sharing in OGE's watershed Tour de France glories this year.

With the departures of Stuart O'Grady and Baden Cooke, Lancaster and Tuft will be tapped for leadership and endurance qualities.

Both remain world-class time-triallers, but the pair's tactical savvy is just as critical as the team pushes to convert talented young riders to world-class competitors as quickly as possible.

"I really enjoy working with the younger riders," Lancaster said. "They have good heads on their shoulders.

"Guys like Luke Durbridge are so eager and all ears. I like passing along what I've learnt and helping them out by showing them the ropes."

Lancaster's work ethic was decisive in his re-signing.

"We're very pleased to renew Brett's contract," OGE sport director Matt White said.

"He played a part in some of our biggest rides and secured some nice results for himself.

"This past year, he won a stage in Slovenia, rode consistently throughout the entire Giro with our normal sprint group, won the team time-trial at the Tour de France and was one of the strongest performers in our silver-medal ride in the team time-trial at the world championships."

Part of the world record-setting 4000m pursuit team at the 2004 Athens Olympics, Lancaster wants to finish his career with OGE.

"I have another two years signed, but in my head I want do three more before I call it quits when I'm 37," Lancaster said.

"Five years with GreenEDGE would be a dream.

"The choice (to extend) was simple. I wanted to stay on the team. I wasn't really thinking about going anywhere else. The last two years have been very memorable. I've achieved some incredible things. I'm looking forward to another two years with GreenEDGE.

"The Tour this year was pretty awesome.

"Winning the team time-trial and standing on the podium with all the boys was really special.

"The team's owner, Gerry Ryan, and his son Andrew were there to witness it all. That was definitely the highlight - the highlight from two years with many, many memorable moments."

Eight-time Canadian time-trial champion Tuft again showed remarkable strength in a variety of roles.

He won the individual time-trial at the Tour of San Luis in Argentina and Tour of Slovenia before joining Durbridge in a record-breaking ride at the Duo Normand two-man team time-trial in France.

And he was hugely effective in OGE's Tour de France team time-trial triumph in Nice.

"Svein is one of the rocks in our team," White said.

"He's one of the most reliable guys we've got. He's a super teammate who is also very accomplished in his own right.

"It's great news that Sveino wants to retire with us. He's a big benefit to all the younger guys on the team - to everyone, for that matter."

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Watson still hoping to bowl in Test

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SHANE Watson managed six gentle deliveries at training yesterday, raising hopes that he may be able to bowl in the first Test, beginning at Brisbane's Gabba on Thursday.

However, his contribution with the ball will be so limited because of his latest hamstring drama, if it happens at all, spinner Nathan Lyon may be forced to sacrifice his own game and tie up an end.

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That Lyon is in the side at all is a show of faith from the selectors, which has not always been forthcoming given he was omitted at stages during Australia's most recent series in India and England this year.

Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris claimed that Watson was going well with his rehab.

"He did a little bit of bowling today, so that's in the infancy, but he's going well at the moment," Kountouris said.

"Obviously the Test is a long game, so we're building him up to bowl whenever he's ready to go.

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"So if it's this Test, that's great. If it's a bit longer, then that's how it's going to be."

Michael Clarke is an attacking captain who likes to use his spinners in that vein.

However, Lyon can see occasions where that may not be possible.

"If it's turning a lot I'll be a more attacking bowling, but if it's not turning as much and if it's seaming I might be thrown the ball to do a containing-and-holding role so we can rotate our fast men for the other end and try to create some pressure," Lyon said.

"I'm happy to do whatever role it takes for Australia to win a Test match. I'm all for the team, I don't care who's taking the wickets.

"If Ryan Harris takes five and six wickets, I take none for the game and we win the Test match, I'm over the moon. I'm happy with whatever role Michael Clarke comes up with, and hopefully I'll be able to take that and help get wickets from both ends."

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While all the talk at the Gabba is of fast bowlers, Lyon has a good record there, claiming 11 wickets in two Tests at just 24 apiece.

He is one of just three off-spinners who have taken more than eight wickets at the ground in their career.

The others are former West Indian world record wickets holder Lance Gibbs (14) and former Australian captain Ian Johnson (12).

"I really enjoy bowling at the Gabba, you are able to get a lot more bounce compared to other pitches around the country," Lyon said.

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Link reaction took a bit of time

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WALLABIES coach Ewen McKenzie says it took days for him to establish the facts of the alcohol-fuelled night out by his players in Dublin last week, so he could not have suspended them from last week's Test against Ireland.

McKenzie held a press conference at the Wallabies' Edinburgh hotel on Monday to explain his reasons for suspending six players for one match each, and officially warning nine others.

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Five players; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Nick Cummins, Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Liam Gill, will miss this week's Test against Scotland while Paddy Ryan will miss next week's Test against Wales.

Immediately questions were raised about why McKenzie did not stand the players down from last week's Test against Ireland, which is generally considered a tougher challenge than this weekend's match against the Scots.

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"When I was confronted with a number of names, I spent all Thursday and Friday establishing the facts and details," McKenzie said.

"I tried to work out where I would go.

"I delayed the decision because I had so many people to speak to.

"In this process I have got to be fair and just, I believe we have been.

"If I could have acted quicker, I would have.

"This sort of stuff is a massive distraction, I have spent far too long on this."

The players went out in separate groups for dinner, and some then decided to carry on at other bars, not returning to the team hotel until the early hours of Wednesday morning.

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McKenzie said there were no public complaints made about their behaviour during the night, but expressed frustration with the wayward players after having spoken to them about off-field expectations the week before they arrived in Dublin.

Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Saia Fainga'a, Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps have been given written warnings, while Scott Fardy, Mike Harris, Ben McCalman and Nic White received verbal warnings from McKenzie.

Wallabeers: six of the best banned for a Test, nine more disciplined following boozy night out

"I am disappointed in all of them, I don't think I've lacked clarity," McKenzie said.

"I made it clear to individuals about what is acceptable.

"It was a bad night for us, a bunch of bad decisions were made.

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"The guys can have a glass of wine with dinner, that's always been the case.

"Some players made the decision the dinner would go on a lot longer, and involve a few more drinks.

"We were unhappy with the decision-making of some of our players.

"There is nothing sinister [about the night out], this is us judging ourselves.

"The decisions were poor and not in keeping with the focus of the team.

"We're in the business of developing a successful team for a long while.

"The easiest thing in this situation is to do nothing, I've been involved in sport for a long time, but to do nothing will give us mediocrity."

McKenzie is attempting to reform the culture of a side that has won just five Tests all year, and fallen from No.2 to No.4 in the world rankings in the past 12 months.

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