Wayne Bennett has backed the Perth bid in what he predicts will be a 20-team NRL competition within a decade, while insisting his looming homecoming deal with South Sydney will be sorted out “sooner or later”. The Dolphins coach was cagey when asked if he was delaying until Magic Round talks with the Rabbitohs about joining them next season as head coach. “Who said it was the Magic Round? I said it was this week,” Bennett said. Next question: This next week? “Yeah, last week,” Bennett replied.
“We will have 20 teams in the next decade in the competition. Australia is getting bigger every day. That is how it works.” The Dolphins played in a sold-out NRL double-header at Optus Stadium last year, and Bennett has spoken to the Perth bid about their plans. “They are very rugby league-aware now and have had a lot of teams over there and Origin games,” Bennett said.