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The greatest coach of the modern era will run the national side for the next two seasons.

And the 66-year-old Aussie insists he won't be happy unless the sport breaks the dominance of higher profile rival sports.

He said: "We have got a great product. I want people to be talking about us and getting a bit of passion going.

"It's when they don't talk in hotels, coffee shops and offices about the national team or the players that we've got a problem."

Bennett has had an enormous influence in making both Australia and New Zealand the top two sides in the world in recent years.

England broke their cycle of being also-rans with a Test Series win over the Kiwis last autumn, under previous boss Steve McNamara.

But Bennett says he wasn't surprised that England had previously struggled to break the stranglehold of the top two nations.

He said: "For a long period of time they probably had a lot of wrong people in charge at different stages and a lot of poor decision.

"They went through a lot of coaches and players and it does not work. The best organisations are ones that have good stability.

"Steve has done a good job over the last few years and England have got a much more stable playing group who want to play for their country now.

"In the past you were picking 33 and 34 year olds hoping to resurrect their careers in one game, but it doesn't work like that."

Bennett's appointment hasn't been totally welcomed, with St Helens coach Keiron Cunningham among those who said the job should go to an English coach.

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Bennett said: "There is nothing in my life that ever surprises me. People will have their whinge but sometimes the reason does not match the logic."

Two of Bennett's back room staff at Brisbane Broncos will join his England set-up, including Englishman Jeremy Hickmans.

He will also appoint a Super League coach as one of his assistants but says he has yet to decide which one.

Brisbane play Wigan tomorrow in the World Club Series and Bennett has already told Warriors captain Sean O'Loughlin that he will remain as England skipper.

He added: "Why would I change that? He is a wonderful captain and player. I am not here to change things that work."