Wayne Bennett and Jake Friend emerge as unlikely Queensland Origin allies
Jake Friend could well be going up against his future Queensland coach when the Roosters tackle their arch rivals South Sydney in Friday night’s final round blockbuster, writes PAUL CRAWLEY.
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Inspirational Sydney Roosters skipper Jake Friend only needs to stay fit throughout the finals series and he will secure his belated State of Origin debut.
And Friend could well be going up against his future Queensland coach when the Roosters tackle their arch rivals South Sydney in Friday night’s final round blockbuster at ANZ Stadium.
With the mail getting stronger that Kevvie Walters will be announced as the new Brisbane coach in the coming days, that is expected to open the door for Wayne Bennett to make his Origin return 17 years after Bennett last coached Queensland.
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Queensland chairman Bruce Hatcher has already stated publicly that while his first choice is for Walters to stay on as coach for this year, and he will tell his board that he wants Bennett to take over if the Broncos put pressure on Kevvie to hand in his Origin notice.
If Walters is unavailable, Hatcher is clear that he only wants Bennett to come in and coach Queensland for one year, and after that they will look for another long-term coach.
And take it as read that Friend also has support in high places, who rate his experience and toughness as exactly what the Maroons need coming into this series after tasting defeat for the last two years.
Bennett is also a known fan of Friend’s tough and humble nature.
But Friend’s call-up most likely would come at the expense of young Wests Tigers sensation Harry Grant, given Ben Hunt is tipped to claim the Queensland utility spot.
While Grant is viewed as the next long-term hooker for Queensland, the fact is the Maroons are desperate for extra experience and leadership, especially in the forwards.
And you only have to ask Friend’s Roosters’ teammates what they think of him to know he is made for Origin.
Friend, 30, was all set to get a call up last year before he ruptured his bicep against St George Illawarra on Anzac Day.
Friend has played for Australia and done everything else in the game, including winning three premierships and was co-captain for two of those titles.
But unfortunately his career came around at the same time as Cameron Smith, which has limited Friend’s representative career to just one game for Australia and two appearances for the Prime Minister’s XIII.
Friend is close to agreeing to a new one-year deal with the Roosters for next season.
It is understood Friend will sign one-year deals from now on but he has no plans of ever leaving the Roosters, and wants to keep playing for at least a few more years.
He also spoke about his desire to play Origin this week.
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“For me, it is definitely something that I still want to tick off,” Friend said.
“I was involved in a few of the camps earlier this year, and it was great to be back in the mix.
“I believe it to be the pinnacle of our game, and it would be an awesome thing to be involved in, especially this year.
“The continuous back-to-back Origins is going to provide some pretty good footy. I just have to perform well.
“There is a finals series to play, and there are some other players in my position that have been playing really well.”