23 Sep 2014

Packer on Bennett's wishlist

1:40 pm on 23 September 2014

Packer, who's 24 years old, is serving a two-year jail term for an assault in Sydney in November but is eligible for parole in January.

Monday was Bennett's first official day on the job at the Brisbane club he coached from 1992-2006, taking them to six NRL titles.

He says he's having having registration talks with the NRL about Packer in an effort to get him back into the sport.

Former Kiwi and Warriors prop Russell Packer, despite being in prison for assault, is on new Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett's player wish list.

Former Kiwi and Warriors prop Russell Packer, despite being in prison for assault, is on new Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett's player wish list. Photo: Photosport

Since leaving the club six years ago Bennett has coached at St George Illawarra and Newcastle before returning to Brisbane on a three-year contract - though the super coach says the Broncos will be his home for the rest of his career and he won't coach another club.

Bennett has hit the ground running announcing he'll scrap the use of co-captains next season and has also made it clear he wants Darius Boyd at the club, saying the Newcastle player would be his first choice fullback.

He says he believes he finally has the experience to handle the pressure of coaching the Broncos but admits some of the aura has gone from the club.

Bennett says one of the things he learnt while he was away is the that the Broncos job is "the most precious job in rugby league."

He says while the other two clubs had their challenging moments, he never felt the pressure there that he always did at the Broncos and says he's back to stay and will finish his coaching career with the Broncos.