Bennett locked in as Maroons coach for 2020

By The Roar / Editor

South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has been confirmed as Kevin Walters’ 11th-hour successor, after the former Maroons coach sensationally quit Origin to coach the Brisbane Broncos earlier this week.

The 70-year-old Rabbitohs coach will take the reins in a series Queensland enter as huge underdogs, although there’s no word on whether he will continue in the job past this season.

The six-time premiership coach has won five of the seven series he coached the Maroons in, although he hasn’t coached at Origin level since 2003.

In a statement released to NRL.com, Bennett said he “[loves] coaching Queensland” and that he was “extremely humbled” to be asked to take over the job left vacant by Walters.

“I’m very proud and pleased that I’m still able to do it. State of Origin means so much to the people of Queensland.

“It’s been a difficult year for many people and I just want to give something back if I can,” he said.

MORE TO COME

The Crowd Says:

2020-10-06T23:35:42+00:00

Chris.P.Bacon

Guest


:laughing: Good to see you big fella! (...when Reynolds missed a couple of kicks last weekend I actually thought of you and had to laugh. Was sure you'd be apoplectic as you watched the game on your cardinal and myrtle Jason recliner!) #BlueDawn :laughing:

2020-10-06T22:57:05+00:00

Nat

Roar Rookie


Yeah, as if Bellamy wants that exchange. Bellamy isn't the father figure the ol' coach is. I doubt Bennett gives him up either, he has a history of holding on to bad decisions. Why are you surprised about Allan? He's been a FB his whole life and a very good one. You're going to lose him though, he's too good to wait behind Mitchell when Tigers/Dogs have cash to spend. Maybe they can 'medically retire' Gags and free up the cap space $ and center position.

2020-10-06T22:56:19+00:00

Papi

Roar Rookie


I replied to this Nat but my post disappeared. I'm starting to disappear again Nat! Remember me when I'm gooone... ;-)

2020-10-06T22:45:46+00:00

Nat

Roar Rookie


"Greedy Qlders"? We were carrying the comp, bring in more money and popularity than they ever seen or knew how to handle. Left to their own amatuer devices the game would still be a 3-camera, 2 televised games a week 2nd division game. You're Welcome! :stoked:

2020-10-06T22:37:03+00:00

Papi

Roar Rookie


"Why no love for Allan?" Like I said, he has come good since filling in for Latrell at FB. Before then, he made way too many errors, particularly in defence, and he moves across the ground like he like is running on a treadmill. He takes about 4 steps to start moving forward. It's like an old Warner Bros cartoon! And Souths are about to sign "the roadrunner" Josh Addo-Carr. Beep! Beep! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

2020-10-06T22:32:51+00:00

Papi

Roar Rookie


Hey Nat. James Roberts has proven to be very useful. Souths are going to use him in an exchange trade for South Sydney junior Josh Addo-Carr. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

2020-10-06T22:26:50+00:00

Papi

Roar Rookie


"when the ‘no bodies’ in Maroon put the #falsedawn Blues in their place." The year Fatty coached the maroons to a shock upset win over the Blues during the Super League war when greedy QLDers lead by John Ribot nearly destroyed the game was the only year I cheered and supported their success mate. As far as backhand compliments go this was the best I could come up with this early in the morning. ;-)

2020-10-06T22:10:53+00:00

Nat

Roar Rookie


It was a 2-for. You can have an OK Su'A but you have to take Jet as well. Why aren't you crowing about that exchange? Local junior and all that... :laughing: :laughing: Why no love for Allan? 4 games at FB, 4 tries, 5 TA and 6 LBs, aside from Walker, he's been up there with your best.

2020-10-06T21:41:51+00:00

Nat

Roar Rookie


Hahaha, Papstar, how are ya? Talk it up mate, I hope you still wear the faded memory of what could have been when the 'no bodies' in Maroon put the #falsedawn Blues in their place. :stoked:

2020-10-06T13:19:22+00:00

Papi

Roar Rookie


I was forgetting Jaydn Su'A, of course. That was a gift Nat. So good of the Broncos to keep him in reserve grade nice and safe for Bennett to pick him up fresh and hungry. Thank Anthony Seibold for me for that one. Btw, was I right about Seibold being a lemon, Nat?

2020-10-06T10:55:48+00:00

Papi

Roar Rookie


“Will he be tempted to bring Alfie back a second time?” In many ways it feels like Alfie never left. He is on the field for the Broncos every week and has had more game time this year than Jack Bird. Now THAT’s a million dollars on the salary cap well spent! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

2020-10-06T10:52:51+00:00

Papi

Roar Rookie


Which QLDers Nat? Ethan Lowe? Useless! Corey Allan? ALlan was useless, but he has come good since taking over from Latrell. He still runs like he is running on a treadmill though. The legs are moving but he doesn't go anywhere in a hurry. Dane Gagai is a QLDer of course, but he used to only play all his good games when he was wearing a maroon jersey. Like Allan, he also has come good in the last few weeks but he has been a disappointment for most of the year and defensively is still a huge liability. Are there any other QLDers I missed Nat? ;-)

2020-10-06T10:25:00+00:00

Papi

Roar Rookie


Papa Smurf won't save your beloved maroons, Nat from an inevitable Blues three-peat! This #Blue Dawn will be like an Alaskan summer where the sun doesn't set for about 82 days! And this year I get to experience the maroons heartache firsthand as I wear my NSW origin cap and jersey around every shopping centre north of Brisbane. :laughing:

2020-10-06T10:14:41+00:00

Papi

Roar Rookie


"So Wayne is able to coach a team in the finals and also prepare Qld for Origin" That's because Jason Demetriou is the one responsible for South's tactics and is the brains behind the Rabbitohs revamped expansive attacking game. Papa Smurf is just like the supportive grandfather who turns up for the grandkid's footy games and gives a motivational "You'll be right, mate" speech and a pat on the back as they run out. ;-)

2020-10-03T01:50:48+00:00

Tim Carter

Roar Pro


Like in 1995, when he led them to that incredible series win. No wait, he abandoned them at the last minute.

2020-10-03T01:48:26+00:00

Tim Carter

Roar Pro


Like Grahame Lowe

2020-10-02T08:03:30+00:00

Muck

Guest


What I like about Wayne is that he wants it. He wants it even though hes got flip all to work with . He can smell it in the air as good as any Queenslander can. You poor simple cockroaches actually think your gonna win. Ha ha ha , poor simple cockroaches , so so simple. GO THE MAROONS.

2020-10-02T07:37:43+00:00

Succhi

Roar Rookie


My read on it is QLD is highly likely to lose this series (based on the performance of QLD teams in the NRL and injuries) and the Broncos don’t want Kevvie coming in on the back of a series loss. Bennett will enjoy going in and influencing selection, picking as few Broncos as possible! You heard it here first - he’ll pick Darius!

2020-10-02T07:05:27+00:00

Tony

Roar Guru


More like slippers, dressing gown, a cup of bonox and soaking the dentures overnight in Steradent

2020-10-02T07:04:06+00:00

Tony

Roar Guru


And he was just as effective in defence as Boyd

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