Wayne Bennett

About

Commonly referred to as just "Benny," this legendary Australian rugby coach has the most grand final wins, seven, and most seasons with a single club, 24, with the Brisbane Broncos, in Aussie rugby league history.

Before Fame

He had a rough family background growing up in Allora, Queensland, Australia. His alcoholic father deserted the family when he was 11. Bennett started working as a police officer at 15, while also playing junior rugby in Warwick, and later hooking up with the Queensland Rugby League as a full-time player. As a player in the 1970s, he played for the Australian National team and the Queensland interstate squad as a winger or fullback.

Trivia

He does not smoke, drink alcohol, or gamble.

Family Life

 Bennett's brother Bob Bennett is also a former professional rugby player and coach, He helmed the Papua New Guinea team at the 2000 World Cup.

Associated With

In 2002, Bennett cowrote with journalist Steve Crawley the book Don't Die with the Music in You. It sold over 100,000 copies. At the party for the book's launch, luminaries such as media mogul Lachlan Murdoch and Australian cricketer Steve Waughshowed up to support it.