Legendary coaches Wayne Bennett, OAM AM and the late Jack Gibson, AM have today been inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame, the first coaches to have this honour bestowed upon them.
Bennett coached the Rabbitohs in 77 games between 2019 and 2021, taking the Rabbitohs to the 2021 NRL Grand Final, and will again take the reins of the NRL team in 2025. Gibson coached the Rabbitohs in 44 games between 1978 and 1979.
Bennett is the longest serving coach in the game’s history, having coached 1103 games throughout his first grade career across the Brisbane Rugby League, New South Wales Rugby League, Australian Rugby League, Super League and National Rugby League competitions, including 933 games through a career with Canberra (1987), Brisbane (1988-2008 and 2015-18), St George Illawarra (2009-11), Newcastle (2012-14), South Sydney (2019-21) and the Dolphins (2023-24).
He has won eight premiership titles; six with Brisbane Broncos (1992-93, 1997-98, 2000 and 2006), one with St George Illawarra (2010), and one with Brisbane Souths (1985).
Bennett coached Queensland to six State of Origin series wins (1987-88, 1998, 2001, 2003 and 2020), while also coaching Australia (1998 and 2004-05), England (2016-18) and Great Britain (2019). He was also coaching advisor with New Zealand when the Kiwis won the World Cup in 2008.
Gibson won five premiership titles as a Coach with Eastern Suburbs (1974-75) and Parramatta (1981-83). He won 245 of 394 games as first grade coach for a winning percentage of 62.2. He also coached New South Wales in 1989-90, claiming a series victory in 1990.
Gibson’s career at Premiership level spanned 20 years; he coached Eastern Suburbs (1967-68 and 1974-76), St George (1970-71), Newtown (1973), South Sydney (1978-79), Parramatta (1981-83) and Cronulla (1985-87).
Rabbitohs Chairman, Nicholas Pappas AM“Two ornaments of the game have been honoured today, not so much as players of the game but, more importantly, as transformative coaches of Rugby League."
“I was only a young supporter when Jack graced our Club with his coaching skills, but his legacy remains.
“And where does one begin with Wayne – a coaching powerhouse who has left a deep impact on the history of Rugby League and our great Club.
“Congratulations to both men and their families on being inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame today.”
ARLC Chairman, Peter V’Landys AMIt is an historic moment for the game to recognise for the first time the extraordinary contribution of two legendary coaches, Jack Gibson and Wayne Bennett."
“Wayne is the ultimate people manager. He has the rare ability to get the best of a player, no matter their background. Players who come from hard times or players who have everything, Wayne takes them to another level. He can make every player the most important in the team. He has a rare presence that gains the attention of all demographics.
“Jack was just the first super coach. He took calculated risks that always seemed to pay off. Jack was innovative and futuristic and was ahead of his time. His one liners were legendary.”
Mr Bennett and Mr Gibson join fellow South Sydney Hall of Famers Cec Blinkhorn, Billy Cann, Ron Coote, Herb Gilbert, Howard Hallett, Brian Hambly, Harold Horder, Bob McCarthy, John O’Neill, George Piggins, John Sattler, George Treweek, Benny Wearing, Harry Wells, and Immortal Clive Churchill with their Hall of Fame induction today.
Also inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame today were legendary administrators Ken Arthurson and John Quayle, alongside broadcasters Frank Hyde and David Morrow.
