Origin 2020: QRL to review Origin system, including Wayne Bennett’s role

A QRL review into Queensland’s Origin system could see Wayne Bennett axed despite his spectacular success with the Maroons this year.

The Queensland Rugby League has dropped a bombshell by ordering a wide-ranging review of their Origin program which could lead to the axing of their triumphant coach Wayne Bennett.

The Courier-Mail can reveal a specially-convened taskforce has been created to analyse all aspects of Queensland’s Origin system, including whether Bennett can juggle dual roles as Souths and Maroons coach next season.

Bennett answered an SOS from the Maroons last month after his Origin predecessor Kevin Walters successfully clinched the Broncos coaching post and the 70-year-old was only expected to serve for the COVID-affected 2020 series.

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Daly Cherry-Evans hugs Wayne Bennett after hte match. Picture: Peter Wallis

But the super coach’s Mission Impossible task, toppling the Blues with a record 14 Origin debutants, has sparked a tidal wave of support with Maroons stars calling for Bennett to be retained for their 2021 campaign.

State of Origin’s return to its traditional winter timeslot next season has raised concerns over Bennett’s ability to concurrently take charge of the Maroons for six weeks without derailing South Sydney’s premiership ambitions.

While QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher hopes Bennett returns to defend Queensland’s crown, he concedes an operational review may force the Maroons to reluctantly part ways with their coaching Messiah.

“I can’t dispute Wayne’s resume and his remarkable record, but I have to say we are still going to the open market for a coach for next year and beyond,” Hatcher said in the wake of Queensland’s epic 20-14 win in the Origin decider.

“I can’t stop signing Wayne’s praises but we are doing a review of our whole Origin program.

“We are bringing people in externally and we will have three directors who will review the whole thing, then the board will make a decision on what went well and what didn’t go so well.

“We have always favoured someone who doesn’t have an NRL coaching job.

“The reality is Wayne has responsibilities to Souths next season and with the Origin series returning to its traditional format, this is a major consideration.

“It’s hard to fault what has just gone on, and I’m so pleased Wayne has proved his critics wrong, but equally we must keep our feet on the ground and not get too emotional about things.

“I’d love to see Wayne throw his hat in the ring, but we will be considering coaches without NRL ties, like Paul Green, so there’s no guarantee Wayne will be there next year.”

The potential loss of Bennett would be a crushing blow for Maroons players given the bonds they built in engineering Queensland’s greatest series triumph.

Forward Jai Arrow implored Bennett to stay loyal, while rookie prop Tino Fa’asuamaleaui said no other coach could have brought together a Motley crew of maligned Maroons, labelling him a “magic man”.

Souths hierarchy are prepared to support Bennett if he wishes to continue on, but the super coach admits he could walk away from the Maroons.

Wayne Bennett is hugged by his Maroons stars after the game. Picture: Peter Wallis

“I’m sitting on the fence right now,” he said.

“It’s not a good time for me to make decisions about anything after such an emotional three weeks.

“I’m not in a great place to make a definitive call without a clear mind.

“I will talk to Souths.

“The important thing is I feel I owe Souths a great deal so they are my first priority.

“If it can’t be done again, well I will have to walk away, but I will never forget this opportunity and I will always be grateful for it.

“It was 17 years since I coached my last Origin game and I never thought I would get the call-up again.

“I’ve loved being a part of it.”

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Hatcher said the QRL were keen to lock in their coach by February and would prefer a longer-term appointment of up to three years.

“As a board, we have to think beyond another 12 months,” he said.

“We will be talking to Souths about Wayne and we will be going to the market before we go away for the December break. I expect nominations in January before making a decision on our coach in late January, early February.

“We cannot run a business on a one-year plan. The board must look at the risk profile, ideally we want our coach to be there on a longer-term basis on a two-year deal with possibly another option.

“On the balance of probabilities, there will be a whole host of factors that may affect whether we appoint Wayne again.”