Wayne Bennett backs Anthony Milford for State of Origin after agreeing to Kevin Walters’ plan

WAYNE Bennett has backed Anthony Milford to handle Origin after high-level talks cleared the path for the Brisbane sensation to join Camp Maroon.

Bennett initially didn’t want Milford joining the Maroons. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

BRONCOS coach Wayne Bennett has backed Anthony Milford to handle an Origin baptism after secret high-level talks cleared the path for the Brisbane sensation to join Camp Maroon.

On Tuesday Milford was named as Queensland’s five-eighth for Origin I — just days after Bennett vowed he would not release his star pivot unless he was guaranteed a place in the Maroons’ starting 17.

Queensland hierarchy initially discussed naming Milford as their 18th-man playmaking contingency for Johnathan Thurston (shoulder), who is rated at long odds to play in Origin I.

But with Bennett playing hardball, the Maroons upped the ante.

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Bennett initially didn’t want Milford joining the Maroons. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Coach Walters contacted the Broncos mentor outlining his plan for Milford to be selected in the No.6 jumper, with the injured Thurston relegated to 18th man.

That selection methodology was palatable to Bennett, who released Milford for the Maroons — ruling Brisbane’s strike weapon out of Saturday night’s clash against the Warriors in Auckland.

Bennett lauded Milford’s selection, insisting the 22-year-old will not be overawed by his Origin debut in the No.6 jumper made famous by the likes of Thurston, Wally Lewis and Darren Lockyer.

“I’ve made the decision to release Anthony, he will be going into camp,” Bennett told The Courier-Mail.

“I never once had an issue about Anthony playing Origin, I would never stop a player playing Origin. It was the process and the impact that process has on a club.

“What would have been the point (of standing down Milford from an NRL game) if Anthony was going to be 18th man — it would have meant nothing.

“No club has paid a greater price for the Queensland Origin team than the Broncos. But it’s been resolved, and I’m happy Anthony will get his opportunity.

“He will handle it. He’s such a talented player and he’s a big-game player. There was no better player in the 2015 grand final, so he will be fine. He will be as ready as he will ever be.”

Milfordjoins Maroons players checking into Rydges Southbank. Photo: Annette Dew

Walters is adamant there is no bad blood with Bennett, who will lose six Broncos stars — Milford, Darius Boyd, Sam Thaiday, Josh McGuire, Matt Gillett and Corey Oates — to Maroons duty

“We always thought Wayne would let him go to be honest,” Walters said. “He wouldn’t stop Anthony or any of his players playing for Queensland.

“Wayne and the Broncos are a big part of what we do in the Queensland Rugby League, no doubt. But we feel it’s in our best interests to name Anthony and for him to get his head right around the big task in front of him.”