Benson backing our talent

NEW Zealand's outstanding young World Cup winners should serve as an inspiration says Tony Benson — the man who coached the majority of them as Junior Kiwis.

Eleven of the 17 men who saw the Kiwis through to a memorable 34-20 final victory over Australia at the Suncorp Stadium at the weekend were members of Benson's under-19s team, under the now-Oldham coach's command between 2003 and 2005.

While many onlookers around the world were shocked at the overall outcome, for Benson the gradual Kiwi improvement through the competition, combined with the fact that the Aussies weren't tested up to that point, was a major factor.

"New Zealand had been getting better and better whereas Australia hadn't been put under pressure," Benson said.

"But one interesting thing to look at is that over the last four years, the Junior Kiwis have flogged the Australians. I think the last game when I was in charge finished 46-8 to us and that also featured some of the Australian players who played on Saturday."

Benson also believes that plenty of raw potential exists in our domestic game.

And he now hopes that England can also start to produce good young players of their own, mainly through Super League clubs being more prepared to give hot prospects a chance at a much earlier age.

“One of the great things is with New Zealand, it is a young side," said Benson. "Add guys like (South Sydney Rabbitohs prop) Roy Asotasi and (Leeds Rhinos full-back) Brent Webb to that team and it becomes pretty formidable.

"It is also fantastic not only for the game in New Zealand but also probably in England too. That is because it really does push forward the fact that we need to be bringing young players through.

"For example, it would have been great experience for (Salford's 18-year-old scrum-half) Richie Myler to have been out there with the squad.

"Then in the centres you could have had someone like (Leeds Rhinos back) Lee Smith. He looked really good and was named as man of the match at full-back in the Super League Grand Final, but I think his future is at centre.

"Hopefully with the new license system teams can afford to use the juniors a lot more (without the threat of relegation). That will help to even out the international game."