The rugby league world is still praising Queensland’s shock win in 2020, but QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher has announced that super coach Wayne Bennett could lose the top job for next season.
Less than 24 hours after one of the more inspiring victories, when the Queensland defeated NSW 20-14 at Suncorp Stadium to end a two-year blues dominance, Bennett received rave reviews for his performance.
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Bennett was handed the reins of the Maroons for the fourth stint after Kevin Walters left the role to take on the top job of the Brisbane Broncos.
Despite expecting Bennett to be at the top for just a year, he bled 14 debutants and snapped the streak after wins in game one and game three to break the blues two-year streak.
NSW was expected to have a clean run behind them, but an inexperienced Queensland squad stunned the blues with a jaw-dropping performance.
The Queensland team has been called “the worst team in Queensland in history”. Maroon’s captain Daly Cherry-Evans touched the sled in his victory speech when he claimed the Origin Shield.
But while performance on the field was a big issue, Bennett received multiple praise and Maroon’s great Cooper Cronk called it “his greatest coaching achievement.”
Maroons striker Jai Arrow announced he had a simple message ahead of the game.
“He said, ‘I want you to try this evening, leave nothing in the tank’ and walked out,” he said. “And we paused for a moment and said ‘is that this’?”
Ben Ikin also told SEN that Bennett was a “coaching genius” that does credit to the 70-year-old mentor.
“I had great confidence that they could play at the level they showed us this series because we had the greatest rugby league coach ever in charge,” said Ikin.
“He comes from a generation where coaches give players room to do their thing, and Wayne is definitely in that form. It’s a less-is-more approach, he just knows what to say and when to get the players in the mood. “
The vision was shared throughout the day as Bennett gave directions at halftime while blues coach Brad Fittler walked around with his hands in his pockets.
But despite yet another Origin miracle, the Queensland Rugby League has announced a review of its Origin program The courier mail The modern Origin coach rarely has an NRL and an Origin role at the same time.
While Hatcher said he hoped Bennett could stay, the QRL could also deviate from the legendary coach.
“I can’t deny Wayne’s résumé and his remarkable record, but I have to say we are still going to be open for a coach for next year and beyond,” said Hatcher. “I can’t stop singing Wayne’s praises, but we’re reviewing our entire Origin program.
“We’re getting people out there and we’re going to have three directors reviewing the whole thing. Then the board will decide what went well and what did not go so well. We have always preferred someone who doesn’t have an NRL coaching job.
“The reality is that Wayne has responsibilities to Souths for the next season. As the Origin series is returning to its traditional format, this is an important consideration.
“It’s hard to find fault with what just happened, and I’m so pleased Wayne proved his critics wrong, but we also need to keep our feet on the ground and not get too emotional.
“I would love to see Wayne throw his hat in the ring, but we’re going to be considering non-NRL trainers like Paul Green so there’s no guarantee Wayne will be there next year.”
The Maroons players were full of praise for the master coach throughout the series.
But Bennett himself suggested that he get off work.
“I’m sitting on the fence right now,” he said in his press conference after the game.
“It is not a good time for me to make decisions about anything after such an emotional three weeks. I am unable to make a final call without a clear mind.
“I’ll talk to Souths. The most important thing is that I owe a lot to the south, so they are my top priority. If it can’t be done again, I have to go, but I will never forget this opportunity and I will always be grateful for it.
“It’s been 17 years since I coached my last Origin game and I never thought I’d be called up again. I loved being a part of it. “
Kevin Walters spoke on Fox Sports News Thursday about Bennett should do the job.
“That remains to be seen,” said Walters. “He’s done a great job this year, so obviously this job is his unless South Sydney is up to something. He did a great job, Wayne. His demeanor fits the home state arena too, he’s very calm, very influential towards the players you have to be, and he paved the way for these younger players. Great for Wayne, but also great for the players to respond to him the way only Queenslanders can. “
Hatcher announced that the QRL would like to hire a trainer by February.
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