Bennett guided Australia to Tri-Nations success in 2004

"The negativity from back home was disappointing while we were away," admitted Bennett.

"But the commitment shown by the players to wearing the green and gold is why I will hang in there with them."

His appointment will be formalised at Tuesday's Australian Rugby League board meeting in Sydney.

Bennett coached the Kangaroos to a 44-4 victory over Great Britain in November's Tri-Nations final and their 2005 schedule will be finalised at Tuesday's meeting.

Australia will play the Anzac Test against New Zealand on 22 April and take part in the Tri-Nations programme - which is due to be revised slightly - after the NRL Grand Final on 2 October.

Bennett is a big fan of the Tri-Nations concept and criticised its opponents, including Canterbury Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes who has called for it to be scrapped.

"There were up to eight guys who came away with injuries because that's what the honour of playing for their country means to them," Bennett told the Brisbane Courier Mail.

"That's the tragedy of this. These men want to play for their country. But then you've got guys back home, who've also played for their country in some cases, mouthing off every second day."

Tuesday's board meeting is also likely to feature a heated debate between Queensland and New South Wales delegates over the Test captaincy.

The QRL will push hard to have Darren Lockyer re-appointed immediately but NSW wants to hold out to see how well Andrew Johns fares in his comeback from a career-threatening knee injury.

Bennett is known to favour his Broncos skipper Lockyer, who led Australia magnificently on the 2003 Ashes tour and in last year's Tri-Nations.