Wayne Bennett

Speaking to NRL.com in Auckland on the eve of Saturday's clash with the Warriors, Bennett was quick to hose down the feud, going as far as to say he wasn't even aware of what Brown said in the press conference following Newcastle's 15-10 win.

Bennett was coach of the Knights for three seasons from 2012-14, before Brown took over in 2016, and was given the task of rebuilding virtually from scratch. 

The former Dragon did not hold back in letting Bennett know that he holds him responsible for leaving the club in such a bad state, ending his post-match press conference after landing the blow.

"The reality is, when Wayne came to town, if he thought with his big head rather than his little head I wouldn’t have had to rebuild the joint," Brown said.

Milford will make a return from shoulder surgery off the bench in the match in Port Moresby.

Sam Scarlett will start in the halves alongside Kodi Nikorima, with Milford to join the fray at some stage of the game against the Intrust Super Cup champions of last year.

BRONCOS TEAM TO PLAY PNG HUNTERS

Saturday, 3.30pm (PNG time)

1. Jamayne Isaako

2. Jonus Pearson

3. James Roberts

4. Tom Opacic

5. Jordan Kahu

6. Sam Scarlett

7. Kodi Nikorima

8. Matt Lodge

9. Todd Murphy

The 68-year-old's two-year contract with the Rugby Football League ran out after he guided England to the final of the 2017 World Cup but it is believed he has been persuaded to stay on in the job.

The RFL accepted a recommendation from rugby director Kevin Sinfield, the former Leeds and England captain who has conducted a review into the national team's performance at the World Cup, and confirmation of the reappointment of Bennett is expected early next week.

Reports emerged on Thursday morning that Bennett had called for a crackdown on Australia's tactics, with the master coach claiming that the Kangaroos deliberately slow the ruck by calling on a third defender whose job is to lay on top of teammates who had already completed the tackle. 

Regular fullback Jonny Lomax is out with a calf strain, allowing Kevin Brown to come in and partner Luke Gale in the halves. 

England raced out to a 22-6 lead at halftime but could only manage seven points in the second, with execution an issue for Bennett's side after a remarkable five forward passes were called throughout the encounter.

England only trailed by eight points late in the match, but Josh Dugan's runaway try sealed the Kangaroos' victory with a minute to play.

"I was pretty happy with it overall actually," he said. 

Bennett has joined up with his players at their training camp in Perth, where they are preparing for their first group game against the defending champions in Melbourne on Friday, October 27.

England also play Lebanon and France, with three teams going through to the quarter-finals.

After a weekend to reflect on their 24-22 qualifying final loss to the Roosters last Friday the Broncos were put through an arduous one-hour field session designed to rectify the frailties that have been exposed early in recent games.

Both Darius Boyd and Tevita Pangai Jnr failed to train with the main squad but are a chance to line up against Penrith with Kodi Nikorima spending the majority of the session in the fullback position.