Munster eyes reunion with Bennett in $1.2m expansion bombshell

Cameron Munster has revealed his desire to reunite with former Origin coach Wayne Bennett at the NRL’s 17th team in Queensland.

Cameron Munster is presented with the man of the match award by Maroons coach Wayne Bennett

Cameron Munster has revealed his desire to reunite with former Origin coach Wayne Bennett as the NRL looks set to add a 17th team in Queensland.

The NRL met prospective bidders earlier this week to discuss adding a team in Brisbane.

All the hopeful applicants have made no secret of their bid to sign Wayne Bennett as their foundation coach.

And in an interview with The Courier Mail’s Peter Badel, Munster revealed the prospect of reuniting with Bennett would be appealing.

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“I know Wayne would be very keen to coach a second Brisbane team,” Munster told Badel.

“He told me in Origin camp (last November) he is keen on a second Brisbane team, so it would be a very competitive side if Wayne was in charge.

“The Storm are a great club and they gave me my first opportunity to play NRL. I am a pretty loyal bloke and I will definitely give them an opportunity to keep me, but with the new Brisbane coming along, it will be a tough conversation to have.”

Cameron Munster and Wayne Bennett in a Maroons training session

Munster is expecting a partner with his long-term partner Bianca and is off contract with the Storm in 2023.

The Melbourne No. 6 looms as the first marquee name on the new clubs’ shopping lists according to The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield.

“I think there are three great marquee players who will be available and one of them will be Cameron Munster,” Rothfield told NRL360 on Fox League.

“Brandon Smith is an outstanding football player and the other one is Newcastle’s Kalyn Ponga.

“I think with Munster’s big-game reputation – he got Melbourne home and Queensland home last year – he has learned to play well without Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk. It’s so exciting.

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“A new franchise needs Cameron Munster on $1.2 million and then three $700,000 players and fill the rest out with Q Cup players and some handy boys around Sydney and the NSW Cup who can’t crack it.

“You’ll need four big names. Wayne Bennett is a great marketing tool and when he plays the Broncos it will sell out weeks prior.

“It will be the best story in rugby league: Bennett v Broncos. He’ll bring sponsorship and corporates. He will be a magnet for players.”

Originally published as Munster eyes reunion with Bennett in $1.2m expansion bombshell