It is ‘the 12 commandments’ that have proved equally relevant from the beginning of Wayne Bennett’s coaching career to his approaching 900th game.
When Brisbane Broncos legend Steve Renouf was rummaging through his memorabilia recently, the bottom of a box cracked open and a laminated sheet of paper headlined The Broncos Creed fell out, followed by 12 instructions for players to observe.
The “commandments” were given to the Broncos players by Bennett at the start of the 1989 preseason after they went to training camp and had a say in what kind of club they wanted the new franchise to be.
“We had input, but in the end it was Wayne’s own document,” Renouf said.
“We joked as players that we were his disciples and that Wayne was Jesus, the savior.
Championship coach Wayne Bennett (pictured after winning the 2006 grand final with Brisbane) has a dozen rules he demands his players adhere to – and they’ve just become common knowledge
Broncos legend Steve Renouf (pictured) – who won four Grand Finals under Bennett – has revealed some of the master coach’s success secrets
The Broncos Creed was his 12 commandments to us. You could say he led us to the promised land like Moses…which he finally did in 1992.
“If you look at the instructions he gave us, they are just as relevant now as they were then.
“That’s why Wayne is still relevant and is about to coach his 900th game in the premiership, against Cronulla (on Saturday).”
Renouf said teams that had followed the commandments under Bennett had been successful.
They emphasize personal responsibility, self-improvement, playing flawless football with intelligence, respect for officials and the coach’s directions, and never giving up.
Bennett is pictured during his coaching days at Souths, where the players all agreed to his 12 Commandments – or were in reserve class
The Broncos Creed read as follows:
1. Come to every match mentally and physically prepared for a best on the ground performance. Self motivation is always best. You are responsible for your own performance.
2. Don’t continue falsehoods or nonsense in the rooms before a game. Just think about your game and the contribution you will make. If you don’t mean it, don’t say it. Don’t be hollow.
3. Stick to the coach’s game plan and goals. One plan is better than 13.
4. Minimize mistakes in your 30 meter zone.
5. Get ‘your’ defense in order. Communication – Despair.
6. Master the game. Don’t rush the game. Be ready to seize the opportunity when it arises.
7. Work for good field position. Good chase game. Minimal mistakes in attack and defense.
8. Play according to the referee’s instructions.
9. Bring your brain to the game and play with it. Smart, dedicated players will always beat stupid, dedicated players.
10. Build up your game each week. If a mistake is made or you don’t get into the game, go back to basics as perfectly as possible and don’t exacerbate the problems by trying to do something spectacular.
11. Play the game in blocks of six tackles. When we have the ball and when they have the ball. Forget the past and don’t plan for the future. Focus on the current six.
12. Join every game – be mentally strong for 80 minutes. Don’t give in to your feelings. Anything can happen if you don’t give up.
The Bennett mantra also worked wonders at St George where the footy brain took the Dragons to the title in 2010.
Renouf said the creed had a key essence.
“They are simple statements,” said the four-time premiership winner.
“Wayne’s success is based on keeping rugby league simple, but he also enforced it on us.
“One that stands out for me is number 10, about building your game each week.
“I would make a mistake and think I had to try or score one to redeem myself.
“Wayne would simplify it and give me three things to work on. Defense was always one, but leg speed was a big one.”
Renouf scored a club record 155 tries in his career and many of those came after he kept pumping his legs after being thrashed by defenders.
Commandment No. 12 emerged as the Dolphins recently came back from a 26-0 deficit to beat the Titans 28-26.
Bennett has led the Dolphins (pictured with star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow) to an unexpectedly good start to their first NRL season
“The Dolphins refused to give up, and as Wayne says…anything can happen,” Renouf said.
Renouf’s long try in the 1992 grand final was another classic example.
“Nothing would have happened if Willie Carne hadn’t made an extra effort to get out of our goal area. He was in the play,’ Renouf said.
“We all went, ‘Wow.’ Then we committed to going the length of the field. It was a play that Wayne had told us as outside defenders to prepare for.’
Bennett recently said that one of the reasons he recruited former Melbourne striker Kenny Bromwich to the Dolphins was because ‘he means what he says’. He doesn’t talk much nonsense and that’s always good in a football team.”
Renouf said that nothing had changed from the original commandment No. 3.
It says ‘don’t be a hole’. Wayne never liked shelters, except for Wendell (Sailor), but he made Wendell support him on the field… and Wayne was patient with him,” Renouf grinned.
“The credo Wayne gave us in 1989 was the building block for all the Broncos success that followed. Anyone I played with would attest to that.’