He is the NRL's most successful coach.
Yet Brisbane great Steve Renouf believes a fear of failure is driving Broncos master mentor Wayne Bennett ahead of Sunday's NRL grand final against North Queensland.
Foundation Broncos mentor Bennett has a 7-0 grand final record as a head coach - including the Dragons' 2010 title - and will look to guide Brisbane to title No.7 this weekend.
Yet Renouf - who sparked Brisbane's breakthrough back-to-back titles from 1992-93 and again from 1997-98 - said Bennett would be motivated by not losing his Midas touch.
"There's a fear, this could be his first loss at a grand final," Renouf told Fox Sports TV.
"He doesn't want that so he will do his utmost to make sure that doesn't happen."
Bennett did not give anything away when quizzed on his winning touch at Thursday's grand final press conference.
"I might have a little idea, but I'm not going to say it," Bennett quipped.
Renouf did his best to elaborate.
"He's an enigma," he said.
"But he will keep them very calm during the week.
"We learned that in the 1990s. He does it so well.
"He gets them to enjoy the week.
"I can guarantee you these guys have not played the grand final (in their heads) prior to the game - that's the challenge everyone faces."
Cowboys co-captain Johnathan Thurston said he did not fear anyone ahead of the grand final - then the topic of Bennett came up.
"I'd have to say their coach Wayne (was who he feared most)," Thurston told Fox Sports.
"He's been there, done that.
"After round one that team was copping a hammering after that defeat to the Bunnies (36-6 to South Sydney).
"And here they are playing a grand final - he knows how to get the best out of his players.
"He is the one who probably worries me the most."
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