Wayne Bennett refuses to endorse Kevin Walters for Titans coach job

TENSIONS between Wayne Bennett and Kevin Walters have flared again with the Broncos coach refusing to endorse his former assistant for the Titans job.

The Broncos coach won’t buy into the speculation game. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

TENSIONS between Wayne Bennett and Kevin Walters have flared again with the Broncos super coach refusing to endorse his former assistant for the Titans job.

In the latest twist to a longstanding and at times fractious relationship, Bennett distanced himself from the Titans saga when asked if Walters is the man to rescue the Gold Coast.

The Queensland Origin mentor is considered a frontrunner for the Titans post — 12 years after Bennett sensationally sacked a shattered Walters from his coaching staff at the Broncos.

Bennett argued Walters needed to broaden his horizons to build his skill set and the Broncos legend has done that, coaching in France and leading Queensland to back-to-back Origin series wins this season.

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Bennett praised Walters’ work with Queensland. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

Bennett praised Walters’ performance with the Maroons, but when asked if he is ready to launch his career as a full-time NRL coach, the Broncos mentor declined to spruik his credentials.

“I’m not going to go into speculation until I know he is in for the (Titans) job,” Bennett said of Walters.

“I’ll talk about it then, but right now it is speculation. He has a job coaching Queensland and he has done a good job there.”

Asked who he believes is the right coach to replace sacked Titans mentor Neil Henry, Bennett remained tight-lipped.

“I can’t answer that,” he said. “I don’t have the answer for that. They made the decision to let Neil go so they obviously have something in mind.

“It’s their problem down there, it’s their issue and I don’t want to buy into it. It’s got nothing to do with me or our club. Ask them (the Titans) the questions.

“They don’t listen anyway so you are wasting your time.”

The Broncos coach won’t buy into the speculation game. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Speaking on Fox League’s Queenslanders Only program on Wednesday night, Walters insists he has had no formal talks with the Titans. He made it clear he remains contracted with the Queensland Rugby League.

“It’s in your face every day, I’m being linked to the Titans job,” he said. “I haven’t had any talks with the Titans. If and when I do make the step into the NRL, it has to suit me and the type of coach I am. Is that the Titans? I don’t know.

“As it stands, there’s been a lot of speculation around the job. I am contracted with the QRL to be the Queensland coach and I haven’t had any talks with the Titans about the possibility of me going there.

“I have a contract and If I go outside those boundaries, I put my position at the QRL in jeopardy. I’m still on a high with Origin. I want to get into the NRL at some stage, but I don’t think right now it’s appropriate to be talking about it.”

Ironically, if Walters clinches the Gold Coast post, it would see him go head-to-head with Bennett and breathe life back into the ailing Titans-Broncos derby.

The Bennett-Walters narrative has endured some rollercoaster moments.

Walters returned to Red Hill in 2015 as Bennett’s assistant and helped the Broncos to that year’s grand final, but was forced to resign after accepting the Queensland Origin job.

Earlier this season, the pair were at loggerheads over Bennett’s threat not to release Anthony Milford if the Broncos pivot was named 18th man as insurance for the injured Johnathan Thurston for Origin I.

Walters subsequently outfoxed Bennett by naming Milford in the No. 6 jumper for his Origin debut.

The pair’s relationship goes back years. Photo: David Kapernick.

Broncos legend Steve Renouf said his former teammate had benefited from the Bennett sacking and is the perfect candidate to rebuild the Titans.

“Kevvie has learned a lot since Wayne let him go,” Renouf said.

“He has definitely done his apprenticeship. It’s been an ambition of his to coach in the NRL, so if he’s keen on the Titans job, I hope they give Kevvie a go.

“Mal Meninga brought back that aura to Queensland and Kevvie can do the same for the Titans. He would bring a fair profile to the club and had a good way with dealing with players.

“The Titans job could be viewed as a poisoned chalice, but they need someone like Kevvie to revive them.”

Originally published as Wayne Bennett refuses to endorse Kevin Walters for Titans coach job