22 Nov 2017

Bennett backs Blair in wake of Kiwis shock world cup exit

2:21 pm on 22 November 2017

The England coach Wayne Bennett has leapt to the defence of Kiwis rugby league skipper Adam Blair in the wake of New Zealand's shock early exit from the World Cup.

Blair has been strongly criticised for comments he made in the wake of the side's quarter final loss to Fiji, where he insisted the side was in good heart and was proud of the team culture.

The comments infuriated frustrated Kiwi league fans but Bennett, who has coached Blair at the Broncos for the past three seasons, stands by him as a leader.

Bennett said immediately after the game is when players are at their "most vulnerable, and what we say at those times is perhaps not what we are feeling."

"I just think its terribly unfair the amount of pressure they are under, particularly young men who are not experienced with it and there's country just been beaten -it's not easy."

A dejected Adam Blair after the Kiwis world cup loss to Fiji.

A dejected Adam Blair after the Kiwis world cup loss to Fiji. Photo: Photosport

Bennett went onto say "people don't know what they are talking about" if they believe Blair didn't care about the result.

"Anyone who has seen Adam Blair play would never say 'he's not not competitive'."

Bennett says he'd also consider helping the Kiwis out again having been assistant coach of the New Zealand side which won the 2008 world cup.

Wayne Bennett is contracted to coach England.

Wayne Bennett is contracted to coach England. Photo: Photosport

While Stephen Kearney was the coach of the side it was Bennett who received many of the plaudits for the victory.

His current contract with England expires at the end of the World Cup and Bennett said "who knows...but I enjoyed my time with the Kiwis and it was a great result....but they'll bounce back from this (loss)."