‘One of the best teams we’ve ever had’
Aussies look to buck history
LAS VEGAS (April 14, 2010) - Wayne Bennett is one of the the most famous sports figures in Australia.
A former rugby player, the 60-year-old Bennett set coaching records for the most grand finals wins (six) and the most years (21) with a single club in Australian rugby league history.
The two-time Coach of the Year is also known for rarely smiling, and for never being outwardly emotional, regardless of a game’s outcome.
Australian Ben Jones, who is probably the most outwardly emotional bull rider in the PBR’s Top 40, beams when talking about Bennett.
According to Jones, “Troy [Dunn] has spent a lot of time with [Bennett] the last six months, so he’s bringing that aspect” with to the World Cup this week.
For the fourth year in a row, Dunn will serve as captain for the Australians.
“Me and Troy have been talking all week,” Jones said, “and it’s time to step up to the plate. We think we have one of the best teams we’ve ever had.”
“It’s a pretty good team, and I think everyone’s riding as good as they can,” said Pete Farley, who along with his older brother Jared, Brendon Clark, David Kennedy and Jones make up the Team Australia roster. Jason O’Hearn will be there as an alternate.
They’ve been optimistic in past years, though, and have never finished better than fourth out of five teams.
“We’ve definitely underachieved,” Jones admitted, “but the team we’ve got this year…everyone’s peaking right at the right time.”
In 2010, Jones has been the most successful on the Built Ford Tough Series. The 31-year-old, who is ranked 26th in the world, is having a career year, while both Farley brothers recently worked their way back onto the BFTS as alternates, along with Kennedy.
Just last weekend, Clark won an international event in Edmonton, Canada.
According to Pete Farley, the key to success this weekend will be going about their business individually.
“I think we all have to go at it as individuals,” he said. “We are a team, but five of us aren’t riding a bull at once, so do what works for us and don’t get too caught up in trying to ride other people’s bulls for them.
“Just ride our own bulls and do what we [did] to get here.”
In the meantime, the entire team traveled to California on Tuesday, where they gathered at Clark’s home before arriving in Las Vegas together.
NEWS and NOTES
PBR NOW on RFD-TV: Hosted by J.W. Hart and Justin McBride, “PBR NOW” is a weekly live one-hour TV series that airs every Thursday on RFD-TV at 10 p.m. ET and streams live on the Internet. Fans are encouraged to call a new number – 877-731-6733 – or send questions to a new email address: pbrnowshow@pbrnow.com.
This week’s World Cup special, which will feature captains and key riders, will broadcast live from the grand opening of Gilley’s at Treasure Island in Las Vegas.
See the World: Tickets for the 2010 World Cup may be purchased by calling 1-866-PBRSHOW, or visiting www.unlvtickets.com. Hotel rooms and packages can be reserved at Treasure Island, the official host hotel of the World Cup.
Not only will Treasure Island be home to the riders during the World Cup, but the hotel and casino will also play host to World Cup after parties, and be “home base” for all PBR activity during the World Cup. For more information about prices and to reserve a room now, go to www.treasureisland.com or call (800) 288-7206.
Event Center: Follow all the action from this week’s event in Las Vegas by logging on to www.pbr.com and entering the “Event Center,” which is accessible from the tab located at the top of the main Web page. The Event Center provides live scoring, live blogging and event-related Podcasts and interviews.
An enhanced Event Center will also feature a live audio feed that will allow everyone at home to listen to announcers Clint Adkins and Brandon Bates. Live photos will also be available for this event. Thursday’s press conference, which will feature captains and all team members, will also be available on www.pbr.tv.
—by Keith Ryan Cartwright
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I really hope the team from OZ does well....I really like all the riders and think they all have really positive attitudes.....I think they could be a dark horse in this competition, and think no matter what they will come out happy and proud of themselves and there team....:)
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April 14, 2010