'I can’t wait': Stefan Ratchford on England v New Zealand in Denver
21 June 2018 10:58
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Ratchford is loving his time with ‘relaxed bloke’ Wayne Bennett and thinks rugby league has ‘enormous’ potential in the USBy Gavin Willacy for No Helmets RequiredEngland coach Wayne Bennett is not the man you think he is. That’s according to Stefan Ratchford – and he should know. The Warrington player, who is part of the England squad preparing to face New Zealand in Denver on Saturday night, has become Bennett’s go-to utility back. “I’d only ever seen him from the media side: straight-faced, answers his questions and then he’s done,” says Ratchford. “But in a room with the boys he’s totally different.” “Wayne’s really laid back, he’s always laughing and joking – a really relaxed bloke. He wants everyone to feel comfortable. He takes all the pressure of being in an England camp away. He just wants you to be yourself. A lot of people had the opinion he had no idea about Super League or any of the players. But he’s been coaching since the mid-1980s, so he’s seen every type of player and character before and he knows what they need. He’s brilliant at man-management.” Related: 'I'd have loved this': Kevin Sinfield on England v New Zealand in Denver Related: Leeds facing relegation fight after Catalans inflict sixth straight defeat Related: Toulouse aim for Super League under sheep-farming coach Sylvain Houles Continue readingread full article
