'Why does it have to be Wayne?': Doubts arise over Bennett's PNG plan as left-field candidate emerges

Wayne Bennett's potential move to Papua New Guinea as the side's inaugural coach has been torched by one of his former pupils.

The seven-time premiership winner has been linked with a move to the 19th franchise when they join the competition for the 2028 season and this week confirmed that he had spoken to those within the NRL about possibly taking up the position.

Bennett - who is contracted with South Sydney for another two years - told News Corp that discussions have taken place and he wants to "help the game out" where possible.

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"Yes, we've talked about it," he said.

"I will see where I'm at and where PNG is at. I have great respect for Peter V'landys and I'll help the game out if I can, but I'm not going to do anything right now," he said.

"I'm still contracted for a few years here at Souths, so I've got to do my time here and we'll see what happens."

However, according to Corey Parker, that idea might not work for a number of reasons - most notably his current contract at Redfern, as well as Bennett's age.

"I have to pull this up," Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.

"He is 75 years old at this point in time. He is off contract at Souths in 2027.

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"At that point he will be 77 years of age and you're saying he's the best option to get a new franchise? He will have to let Souths down and pull out of his contract.

"He will be 78 starting a new club. Why does it have to be Wayne Bennett? He's been at a few expansion clubs - but at 77?

"I go back to when he was coaching me [at the Broncos] and he would fall asleep in the team meetings. You're talking about a new franchise at 77."

Parker spent a large portion of his career playing under Bennett and was part of the 2006 premiership side. The super coach has won one grand final since then in 2010 with the Dragons, before falling short with the Broncos (2015) and Rabbitohs (2021).

While there's definitely interest from Bennett and those in charge at NRL headquarters, Souths boss Blake Solly has already gone on the record to say the club wouldn't be letting Bennett go without a fight and given the coach would need 12 months at the helm to get things prepared from a roster and off-field perspective, it does appear unlikely.

At this stage, there has been no indication as to who could coach the PNG team - but there are some interesting options out there if the Bennett plan doesn't work out.

Brad Arthur is an experienced coach and found varying degrees of success during his time with Parramatta, while the likes of Josh Hannay and Willie Peters could also factor into discussions despite having less time in charge at first grade level.

But perhaps the best suited candidate for the job is Adrian Lam, who was born in Rabaul and boasts an impressive resume as both a player and coach.

The 54-year-old played international footy for the Kumuls during his time with the Sydney Roosters before moving overseas and finishing his career in the Super League.

Since retiring, Lam has gone on to hold a plethora of coaching roles and has become one of the best mentors in the UK competition, taking the Wigan Warriors to a grand final in 2020 before lifting the Leigh Leopards to an emotional Challenge Cup triumph in 2023 - the club's first major trophy in more than half a century.

The only possible hurdle for Lam potentially heading up the PNG side would be the fact he is also contracted until the end of 2027.

This season, Leigh sit in third spot on the Super League ladder.

Lam's son Lachlan plays for the Leopards and has played 13 games for the Kumuls.

This week, the PNG expansion team announced their board of directors, which will be headed up by former Bulldogs chairman Ray Dib.

Also part of the group will be Melbourne Storm great Marcus Bai.