Impending South Sydney Rabbitohs coach has declared that he will be at the Brisbane Broncos next season.
Following his swap with Souths mentor Anthony Seibold for the 2020 season, rumours have circulated that the pair will break their contracts and join their new clubs for the 2019 NRL campaign.
But Bennett has pledged his commitment to Red Hill for next season and will return to pre-season training next week after completing his duties with the England national team's 2-1 Test series win over New Zealand.
“I’ve been committed to staying at the Broncos since day one and nothing has changed,” Bennett told Fairfax Media.
“I have had no conversation with Brisbane since the presentation night.
“I spoke to the chairman and the CEO that night at the function and I haven’t seen or talked to anybody since that day. Nothing has changed from my point of view.”
Seibold returned to the Souths camp on Monday in a strange spot with uncertainty surrounding his future amongst the Bennett circus, but the seven-time premiership coach is happy to make it work.
“It can certainly work for me," Bennett said.
"The players have known since day one that I’m committed to them and the club and the fans ..
“We had a lot of injuries last year to key players. With the exception of Melbourne and St George (Illawarra), we beat every top-eight team. We know we have a quality group of players and you never know what the rugby league world can deliver.
“The point is it’s a quality squad. It’s the same situation for me - I have never for one moment indicated that I won’t be coaching them in 2019.”
Bennett met with Rabbitohs' head of football Shane Rirchardson in the UK a fortnight ago, and the veteran clipboard holder was firm that their discussions surrounded 2020.
“That was about 2020, all because we didn’t get a chance to meet (after signing) because it all happened pretty quickly,” Bennett said.
“I appreciated him coming over. It doesn’t annoy me what people think. Shane coming over was nothing to do with 2019.”
Coach poaching has become a hot topic amongst NRL circles and will be one of the key issues discussed at Wednesday's meeting between the club chief executives.
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