Wayne Bennett slams door shut on Selwyn Cobbo’s possible move to Rabbitohs
Wayne Bennett has a proven track record of saving NRL careers, but the South Sydney supercoach has ruled out offering a lifeline to off-contract Brisbane star Selwyn Cobbo. See why here.
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Wayne Bennett has ruled out signing Selwyn Cobbo as the Souths super coach addressed speculation he held a secret meeting with the Broncos ace in a bid to bring him to the Rabbitohs.
Bennett was rocked by a report on Tuesday that claimed he had met with Cobbo, whose future at the Broncos is at the crossroads after his axing in last week’s 44-14 defeat of the Titans.
The former Queensland Origin star remains off-contract at the Broncos and there are no guarantees Brisbane can table a formal offer as the club battles a $4 million salary-cap crunch.
Bennett has a proven track record of saving NRL careers and he has mentored some of the finest Indigenous talents in the game, including current Souths duo Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker.
The NRL Hall of Fame coach has previously expressed interest in Cobbo during Bennett’s stint at the Dolphins, but the 75-year-old is adamant the Broncos flyer will not be in Souths colours in 2026.
“He isn’t coming to Souths,” Bennett said.
“I don’t know where this report has come from but I haven’t had a single meeting with Selwyn Cobbo. I don’t know him. I’ve never met him.
“Look, Selwyn is a wonderful talent but there’s been no discussions for him to come here.
“For a start, with our salary cap the way it is, we can’t afford him.
“Selwyn isn’t going to take a pay cut to come to Souths, so it’s not even an option for us anyway.
“I’ve had no chats with him.”
Cobbo’s management has fielded expressions of interest from four NRL rivals, including Sydney-based clubs, and is keen to finalise his future in the coming months.
The 23-year-old has been linked with the Dragons, Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers.
The Broncos remain hopeful Cobbo will stay at Red Hill with coach Michael Maguire insisting he has not written-off the 105kg powerhouse, who has gone from State of Origin to reserve grade in just 12 months.
“I don’t look at it from that point of view (Cobbo quitting the Broncos),” he said.
“’Selly’ and I talk all the time about what we need to do, so I’ll keep that (conversation) between us.
“There’s obviously things that every player goes through at times and this is no different.
“Selly’s in the background doing his work to make sure he gets himself right.”
Cobbo is on around $650,000 at the Broncos this season and faces the prospect of a pay cut to remain at Red Hill.
NRL rivals have discussed offers north of $900,000 for the matchwinning utility back, whose preference is to play in the fullback position, an unlikely scenario at Brisbane given Reece Walsh is locked into the No.1 jumper.
Cobbo’s manager Tas Bartlett says the Cherbourg ace’s relegation to feeder club Wynnum Manly is not a sign he wants out of Brisbane.
“This doesn’t affect our negotiations with the Broncos,” he said.
“Selwyn loves the club and ideally wants to be a Bronco for life like ‘Alfie’ Langer.
“We’ll continue talks and he will go back and work on his game.”
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