Bennett takes blame for England camp row

England coach Wayne Bennett says he was to blame for the row with the RFL and Super League clubs over the cancellation of last month's planned training camp.

Wayne Bennett

England coach Wayne Bennett has taken the blame for the anger caused by his planned training camp. (AAP)

England coach Wayne Bennett has accepted full responsibility for the anger caused to Super League clubs over his planned training camp in Dubai.

Bennett, who failed to guide England to the final of the Four Nations series on home soil last year, had hoped to take his players away in January as part of preparations for the Rugby League World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

However, the idea was greeted with fury by coaches who were faced with the prospect of losing key players just weeks before the start of the season and the trip was subsequently cancelled.

"It's obviously disappointing," Bennett said.

"We didn't want the clubs to compromise what we were trying to achieve but we've made a decision not to proceed with it.

"It's my fault; I should have communicated better and I take responsibility for that.

"But the staff here are working extremely hard with the clubs and I had a meeting with the coaches last night so we're doing everything we can to improve communication."

The Brisbane coach said he had great sympathy with his Super League counterparts but insists he will do everything within his power to make England competitive during the World Cup.

"It's always tough on clubs," he said.

"I'm in a competition in Australia which has State of Origin and has a huge impact on all of us, particularly when multiple players can be selected from one club like at the Broncos.

"We will continue to proceed with the in-season stuff; we will do one day a week over a period of weeks throughout the course of the season. It won't be every week, but it has the support of the clubs."

Bennett has also persuaded clubs to release their up to three of their players who are elite training squad members for a series of training sessions in Australia with the NRL-based players.

"There's a compromise co-operation which exists between England rugby league and the clubs and we're all trying to make that work," Bennett said.

"There'll be about a dozen who miss the following week's fixtures in England because they're playing in Australia, but the Samoa game is an important one to play, because we want more games.

"All the other countries are doing it in mid-season and we want to be the best team possible."


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Source: AAP



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