BRIAN McDermott has revealed he would take on the England job if Wayne Bennett goes.
The Australian’s future is up in the air, even though he hinted he may stay on if a planned mid-season match against New Zealand in Denver happens.
But Leeds boss McDermott, who took charge of the USA at the recent World Cup, would want to replace Bennett if he does go and the Rugby Football League comes calling.
When asked if he would be interested, the coach of the Super League champions simply replied: “Yes.”
“If it becomes available and I get a phone call, I would certainly be up for that,” he added.
“But I’m not going to get veered off track here to chase the England job.”
Bennett’s future largely depends on reluctant NRL clubs agreeing to promoter Jason Moore’s plan.
RFL bosses want to take on the Kiwis in Colorado on June 23, international bosses and England’s players also want it to happen but NRL sides, where half the England team and almost all the Kiwis play, are dragging their feet.
Moore is believed to have offered the sides $500,000 each to play. Now Bennett, officially out of contract after guiding England to the World Cup final, says that will decide his future.
The 67-year-old said: “The international bosses need to deliver on some stuff in relation to fixtures and the calendar and then I’ll look to commit to England.
“We have to find ways to grow the game. We need to take rugby league to America.
“I’d love to be part of going to Denver but I don’t want to waste my time if we aren’t serious about growing the game.”
RFL bosses insist no decision will be made on Bennett’s future until next month but a mid-season international has already been written into the calendar after England played Samoa in May.
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