NRL 2021: Why Wayne Bennett wanted Jake Friend as his Queensland Origin hooker

Souths coach Wayne Bennett has put aside any club differences to deliver an emotional ‘thank you’ to retiring Roosters co-captain and Maroons hooker Jake Friend.

QLD's Jake Friend during Game 1 of the NSW v QLD State of Origin series at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide. Picture: Brett Costello

It’s one of the most heartfelt tributes Wayne Bennett has ever publicly offered to a rival player.

And what makes it even more special is that the South Sydney coach has put aside any club differences with the Rabbitohs’ most hated rivals to deliver an emotional ‘thank you’ to retiring Sydney Roosters co-captain Jake Friend.

Bennett also revealed how he had tried to sign Friend while at the Broncos when Friend was a teenager growing up in Noosa.

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But it’s the story behind how and why Bennett picked the ageing veteran to finally make his debut for Queensland last year that will be forever be remembered in State of Origin folklore.

While plenty at the time were convinced that young Harry Grant had the inside running for the hooking spot given how well he was playing and also because of his age, Bennett revealed how he made a decision the very moment he took the job that if Friend was available he would be wearing the No.9 jumper.

Jake Friend made his Origin debut for Queensland last year under the guidance of Wayne Bennett. Picture: Scott Davis/NRL Photos

“He has had a remarkable career,” Bennett said.

“He has won three premierships and he was always a wonderful, tough competitor.

“He was always someone I admired.

“We tried to recruit him at the Broncos actually as a kid, but he decided to come to Sydney.

“Anyway, I knew Harry was going to be the Queensland hooker for the next 10 years, but knowing what I was going into last year, I just knew we needed Jake.

“I always felt there wasn’t a time I had ever seen him on the field where he didn’t give his best. I’d seen him be such a great team player for so long and I just needed him in that team.

“I put him in the senior players’ group as soon as we got there with a few of the other guys (Daly Cherry-Evans, Josh Papalii and Cameron Munster), and they formed the nucleus of what we did.”

Of course, the rest is history, with Queensland producing one of the greatest Origin upsets, and Friend and Grant combining brilliantly in that final game.

Jake Friend was a vital member of last year’s Maroons team, which scored an upset series win. Picture: Peter Wallis

It was also no surprise to anyone in the inner sanctum when the count came in for the Maroons players’ player award.

Of course, Munster was the deserving official man of the series, but Friend’s contribution got the vote internally.

“He played in every game and he never let us down,” Bennett said.

“He was more than inspirational.

“Even in that third game when I put Harry on the bench and I explained to him why I was doing it, he was all supportive of it.

“And then when I put him and Harry on together for the last 15 or 20 minutes because I trusted both of them, I told him to run out of dummy half a bit (Friend) but he was doing hit-ups.

“We only had two middles on so he started to do hit-ups for us.

Jake Friend won the Maroons players’ player award last year. Picture: Brett Costello

“And I thought it was significant and fitting in the last play of the series when it was so close and he was the guy right in the middle of it all when they lost the ball in that tackle.

“He was extremely brave and he never lacked any courage.

“And he did that for a long time.”

Bennett said Friend should walk away from the game a very proud and satisfied man.

“He had nothing more to prove, he proved it all,” Bennett said.

“That is why I am pleased he has retired.

“Not many blokes can walk away from rugby league knowing they have squeezed out every drop they had to give.

“Jake Friend is one of those people.”